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Apple iOS 18 includes support for Rich Communication Services to enable better connectivity between iOS and Android devices.
Google enabled RCS on Android devices back in 2019, enhancing the Google Messages app, but Apple is only making the move now.
As previously outlined, iOS 18 is expected to be a more substantial update compared to previous versions of the operating system. RCS Messages, one of 250 iOS 18 features, allows connections with friends or family who don’t use iMessage.
What is RCS messaging?
Rich communication services (RCS) is a message standard between mobile carriers similar to SMS with support for files and hi-res photos, group chats, audio, and video.
RCS is largely designed to replace SMS and MMS with Google in the driving seat to control its direction. The genesis of RCS is SMS and with all phones containing it, from the most rudimentary mobile to the latest smartphone device, it is likely it will be around for some time yet. RCS is an alternative to many instant communication apps that are already on the market.
It doesn’t have the same range or capability as the likes of WhatsApp, but it takes an embedded feature of all mobile phones and carries it forward into the current generation.
How to access RCS messaging?
When you open Google Messages on your Android phone to text an iPhone, you should see “RCS Message” in the text field. iPhone owners should see “Text Message – RCS” in the Messages app.
With the iOS 18 update, iPhone users should not have to do anything to be able to use the feature, but it is limited to certain regions and network carriers.
