Apple’s Messages app adds support for Rich Communication Services (RCS) messaging in iOS 18 developer beta 2. This means iPhone users can now bypass the limitations of SMS and MMS when communicating with Android devices.
RCS utilizes the internet for richer features like high-quality photos, typing indicators, read receipts, and group chats. Previously, these features were exclusive to iMessage conversations between Apple users.
Android messages still appear in green bubbles.
Support for RCS seems to be limited to U.S. carriers like T-Mobile, AT&T and Verizon for now. While users can see the toggle if they have installed the iOS 18 developer beta, the feature will only work if their mobile carrier supports RCS and has updated their network bundle for iOS 18.
Apple briefly mentioned that iOS 18 would get RCS support during its Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) keynote earlier this month.
“When messaging contacts who do not have an Apple device, the Messages app now supports RCS for richer media and more reliable group messaging compared to SMS and MMS,” Apple said in its press release detailing iOS 18.
Support MacDailyNews at no extra cost to you by using this link to shop at Amazon.
MacDailyNews Take: Still green? Still a loser.
Just slightly better than the awful SMS, RCS will still be the worst way to send messages back and forth versus all of the features iMessage offers (Tapbacks, message effects, collaboration, inline replies, undo send, audio messages, Memoji, junk reporting, group conversation management, and more).
Please help support MacDailyNews. Click or tap here to support our independent tech blog. Thank you!
Support MacDailyNews at no extra cost to you by using this link to shop at Amazon.
So will android still green-up our group messages??
Nothing, and I mean nothing makes you a bigger winner than pointing out losers. I mean it’s the gold standard for those of us with the highest levels of self-esteem.
You tellingly assume MDN is talking about Android users. Very telling. Your assumption tells me a lot about you.
I read it as MDN calling the RCS communication protocol a loser.
RCS stands for really crappy system.
You know me so well. I think I’m in love. 🥰
And on an entirely unrelated note, what’s the value in making value judgments about anyone’s worth when discussing technology? I mean I understand discussing the relative value of one approach or another. Or maybe the business case for one approach or the other but what do I learn or am enriched by when these sorts of labels get tossed around. I await a thoughtful response
PS: I’ve had too much to drink today so this latest comment may seem thoughtless and unkind.
Nah. You’re just a loser.
I read MDN’s take the same way, but only they know for certain…
Though I think the jabs are kind of funny (like Aggies jabbing the Longhorns), the thought reminded me of my once favored musician (dammed Cunnuck) Bruce Cockburn’s lyric:
“Can it be so hard to love yourself without thinking someone else holds a lower card”
OK, I confess I have not done my homework on this, but will it finally allow us to send a PDF to an android user via text? I always thought that was the strangest limitation of SMS.
You wrote, “iMessage.” 😝
So?
iMessage is the name of Apple’s instant messaging service.
Core features of iMessage include sending text messages, images, videos, and documents; getting delivery and read statuses (read receipts); end-to-end encryption so only the sender and recipient can read the messages; and Tapbacks, message effects, collaboration, inline replies, undo send, audio messages, Memoji, junk reporting, group conversation management, and more. The service also allows sending location data and stickers.
Messages, by the way, is the name of Apple’s text messaging app.