Good news comes from the Tech bubble today. Apple’s latest operating system rolled out for their products, iOS 18, brings a significant improvement for iPhone users who frequently text with Android users. With the addition of RCS (Rich Communication Services) support, these chats will now have features like high-resolution media, typing indicators, and read receipts. Â
This is a welcome development, as iMessage conversations have long been superior to SMS-based chats. While RCS still lacks some features found in iMessage, such as scheduled messages and animated text effects, it offers a significant upgrade over traditional SMS. To check if you’re in an RCS chat, look for the “RCS” or “SMS” indicator in the text-entry box. If you see “RCS,” you’re enjoying the benefits of this improved messaging protocol.
It’s important to note that not all carriers support RCS on iPhone yet. While major carriers like AT&T, T-Mobile, and Verizon offer RCS support in the US, smaller carriers like Mint Mobile may not have implemented it yet. If you want to turn off RCS, you can do so in your iPhone’s Settings app. Go to Settings > Apps > Messages > RCS Messaging.
RCS is a significant step forward in improving communication between iPhone and Android users. By offering features like high-resolution media and typing indicators, RCS makes texting more enjoyable and efficient. As more carriers adopt RCS support, we can expect to see even greater benefits from this technology in the future.
[H/T] The Verge
