Apple’s iOS 18 is set to introduce RCS (Rich Communication Services) support to its Messages app, aiming to enhance text interactions between iPhones and Android devices. This new feature, though briefly mentioned at WWDC 2024, promises to improve photo sharing and group chat functionality across different platforms.
In the iOS 18 public beta, RCS support shows promise. When my colleague Nelson Aguilar tested it by sending messages from his iPhone to my Android Moto G Power 5G, the chat successfully used RCS, supporting typing indicators and high-quality media. A photo he sent from his vacation looked noticeably clearer than typical MMS images.
Yet, being beta software, there are still issues to address. The conversation sometimes reverted to SMS/MMS, and message reactions and video quality were inconsistent. These problems are expected to be ironed out by the official iOS 18 release in the fall. SMS/MMS will remain a fallback option as RCS evolves.
Text bubbles on iPhones will continue to appear green, while Google Messages will let you choose bubble colors. The RCS update will bring several new features, including “Delivered” status notifications and improved media quality. Although Apple is integrating RCS, it will also continue to develop iMessage independently, ensuring that both messaging systems coexist. The complete RCS integration is anticipated with the official iOS 18 launch later this year, likely timed with the introduction of new iPhone models.