Apple has announced that Rich Communication Service (RCS) will arrive on iPhones with iOS 18 update. While unveiling its latest-generation OS on Monday, June 10, 2024, the American smartphone brand confirmed that RCS messaging will be available for iPhone users later in 2024 with the next-generation OS update. The feature enables high-quality message exchanges between iOS and Android phone users.
RCS chats lets iPhone users get many iMessage-like features such as the ability to send long messages, read receipts, message delivery indicator, etc. RCS messaging is already common on Android however, Apple has been persistent on not coming aboard with RCS on iPhones. The shift in their mindset has taken some time and some heavy scrutiny from the EU as they sought contestable grounds for tech firms with the Digital Markets Act (DMA).
On Thursday, November 16, 2023, Apple said that it will bring Rich Communication Suit/Service (RCS) message support to iPhones in 2024. The move was also to please the EU regulators who called for This cross-platform and likely game-changing feature will ease the difficulty users have long faced while exchanging messages between Android and iPhones. The decision has come after a heavy campaign by Google and Samsung pushing the US phone maker to follow suit.
Apple said that it will support the RCS Universal Profile of the GSM Association expecting a “better interoperability experience”. The US tech giant also says that the RCS Universal Profile will work alongside iMessage.
“Later next year, we will be adding support for RCS Universal Profile, the standard as currently published by the GSM Association. We believe RCS Universal Profile will offer a better interoperability experience when compared to SMS or MMS. This will work alongside iMessage, which will continue to be the best and most secure messaging experience for Apple users,” Apple had earlier said.
RCS Chat coming to iPhones
What is RCS Chat?
RCS Chat is a next-generation messaging protocol for mobile users. Devised by industry leaders in 2007, it’s seen as an ideal replacement for the traditional messaging that exists on all cellular phones. Google announced its adoption for Android devices in 2016. The company’s partnership with Samsung creates an interoperable network allowing users to exchange messages between Samsung Messages and Android Messages apps.
Keep note that RCS is not a “message app” but a service that improves upon the traditional SMS/MMS features just like what iMessage does in Apple devices.
In a similar way, Apple’s iPhones will have the same ability with the RCS Chat features. This means Android and iPhone users will be able to transact messages with ease and more features. Google offers RCS Chat via the official Google Messages app on Android smartphones.
Read this post to learn how to activate RCS Chat on your mobile phone.
Why use it?
Because conventional messaging also called texting is limited in capability. RCS is a versatile universal profile that allows users to share high-resolution photos, and large files, and chat in a group like a messaging app. However, it comes natively in the default messaging app. The advanced messaging feature has other practical features such as reading receipts or making video calls. Besides, messages are end-to-end encrypted and that makes it a secure platform for communication by text. Unless traditional messaging, RCS works on both mobile data and WiFi.
RCS Chat has some of the major features that Facebook Messenger, WhatsApp, and Telegram have. You may argue that the RCS protocol may salvage the existence of the messaging app on mobile phones. Check our analysis: Will Instant Messaging Push SMS To Death?
Apple uses iMessage to offer these features but while exchanging messages with non-Apple devices, problems come such as “broken group chats”, low-res images, etc. The interoperable RCS Chat on iPhones will address the situation.
Benefits of iPhones using RCS Chat
RCS brings several benefits to iPhone users for exchanging messages with Android users such as:
- Messaging between iPhones and Android smartphones has become easier
- support for emojis, group chats
- Ability to share high-quality photos, videos, and larger files
- End-to-end encryption
- Read receipts
- Share location
- Works on both mobile data and WiFi internet, etc.
iMessage will stay
The support for RCS Chat doesn’t mean the need for iMessage Apple’s signature messaging protocol. It will continue to be the default messaging service for iPhone users. RCS will stay separately when available. “RCS will simply supplant SMS and MMS and exist separately from iMessage when available. SMS and MMS will also continue to be available as a fallback when needed,” 9to5mac quoted Apple.
Apple maintains that iMessage is more secure and privacy-friendly too. It adds that RCS encryption is not as strong compared to iMessage. In reality, Apple continues to offer fewer details about how RCS Chat will exactly work on Apple so we will only have to wait till more information emerges.
<<<Google launches RCS Messaging in Nepal>>>
Apple gave in to pressure from Google
Apple hasn’t just decided to add the RCS Chat standard in iOS 18. It has taken industry effort from other firms. Google and Samsung have long pushed the American company to adopt RCS Chat on its devices. On September 21, Google released a fake “Meet iPager” video mocking Apple for lacking innovation in its messaging service.
Making fun of Apple, Google wrote “iPager is a device that uses outdated messaging tech, like Apple uses when texting with Android. It comes with all the features you already know: lack of encryption, broken group chats, pixelated pics and videos, and the (in)famous green bubble.” It even further asked users to Help @Apple #GetTheMessage to urge the US company to transition to RCS Chat.
Google has also sent a letter to the European Commission asking the body to consider iMessage as a core platform service under the Digital Markets Act (DMA) policy. This rule mandates that Apple will need to make its messaging service interoperable with other platforms. Apple argues that its messaging service is not that popular for the rules to apply in Europe. On the other hand, Apple has faced growing scrutiny in the EU with the DMA ruling.
The company had to ditch its lightning port for the very reason- EU’s DMA policy which seeks to make the industry more competitive in the region. Then the third-party app downloads from websites, and now, the RCS support. These are taking away some exclusivity from Apple’s Closed Source software.
Also see: Android Vs iPhone: Which One Is Better For You?
Google is happy
In late 2023 when Apple announced the decision to bring RCS chats on iPhones, Google couldn’t hide its delight. The internet giant released a statement after Apple made its RCS decision. It said that it was happy to see Apple make its “first step” to embracing RCS. It hinted at cooperation with the Cupertino giant on implementing RCS messaging on iOS. Here’s what Google said:
“Everyone deserves to communicate with each other in ways that are modern and secure, no matter what phone they have. That’s why we have worked closely with the mobile industry to accelerate the adoption of RCS, and we’re happy to see Apple take its first step today by coming on board to embrace RCS. We welcome Apple’s participation in our ongoing work with GSMA to evolve RCS and make messaging more equitable and secure, and look forward to working with them to implement this on iOS in a way that works well for everyone.”
When will Apple bring RCS Chat support on iPhones?
Apple will bring RCS chat support in iOS 18 which could be issued in September 2024 when we could see the launch of the iPhone 16 series. However, the RCS chats will also require support from telecom service providers to ensure full-fledged functionalities.
You may also want to read: SMS or Instant Messaging apps, Which One Do You Prefer?
Our conclusion
RCS is a next-generation messaging protocol with a tremendous range of features to elevate user experience. The traditional SMS service on mobile devices falls short of fulfilling modern needs of messaging. that’s why global industry leaders brought the Rich Communication Service or Advanced Mesassing.
Apple’s iMessage works for phone users only but with it supporting RCS Chat, its global adoption will get a major push. Additionally, the interoperability gap that exists between Android and iOS will also get thinner. The cross-platform “rich” messaging ability will vastly improve the user experience when it comes to exchanging messages with emojis, high-res files, read receipts., and more. It’s a win-win for all.
Do you believe that the recent iOS 18 feature announcements and RCS chat support hint at forced Androidification of iPhones or do you think it’s just inevitable? And, what do you think of RCS chats coming to iPhones? Would it be useful for you to exchange messages with Android users or rather stay unbothered about it? Do leave your perspective on it in the comments below or in our social network posts.
