Apple has lastly added assist for Wealthy Communication Providers (RCS) to its Messages app. The function arrived as a part of the second iOS 18 developer beta earlier this week.
RCS is a messaging protocol that makes use of the Web to ship and obtain recordsdata and high-quality photographs, view typing indicators, obtain learn receipts, begin group chats, and extra. Till now, iPhone customers might solely ship SMS or MMS messages from the Messages app to individuals who did not have an Apple gadget—you might solely share media, obtain learn receipts, and use different options with different Apple gadget customers through iMessage. With this replace, iPhone customers can begin texting and sharing recordsdata with anybody utilizing an RCS-enabled gadget, together with most Android telephones.
Nevertheless, messages from Android gadgets will nonetheless seem as inexperienced bubbles in iMessage.
RCS assist is at present restricted to US carriers reminiscent of T-Cell, AT&T, and Verizon. Whereas customers might even see the toggle in the event that they’ve put in the iOS 18 developer beta, the function will solely work if their provider helps RCS and has up to date their community package deal for iOS 18. We’ll replace this story once we find out about it. that the protocol is supported in different areas.
Apple briefly hinted that iOS 18 would get RCS assist throughout its Worldwide Builders Convention (WWDC) keynote earlier this month.
“When messaging contacts who haven’t got an Apple gadget, Messages now helps RCS for richer multimedia and extra dependable group messaging in comparison with SMS and MMS,” Apple mentioned in its press launch detailing iOS 18 .
iPhone and Android customers have lengthy requested Apple to assist RCS, because it makes it simpler to message and share issues with folks no matter what gadget they’re utilizing. Google has additionally been pushing Apple to interrupt the blue and inexperienced bubble divide for years.
The developer beta additionally introduced the power to reflect iPhones on Mac shows.