RCS rollout in iOS 18 to bridge Apple & Android messaging gap

RCS support will be added to the iPhone sometime in 2024

The RCS messaging protocol supports features like seeing when someone is typing, sending high-quality images and videos, and knowing when messages are read. Unlike the old SMS, RCS can use Wi-Fi and cellular data, making it more versatile and user-friendly.

However, increasing regulatory pressures and the need for better interoperability have influenced the shift. The European Union, for example, required Apple to open iMessage to other platforms, which accelerated Apple’s decision to adopt RCS.

While RCS will improve cross-platform communication, it won’t replace iMessage. Apple’s iMessage will remain the primary messaging platform for iPhone-to-iPhone communication, retaining its blue bubbles. RCS messages, on the other hand, will appear as green bubbles, much like current SMS and MMS messages.