Rich Communication Services, or RCS, is the next-generation messaging standard from Apple in iOS 18, which is designed to transform the messaging experience between iPhone and Android users. It is an upgraded version of SMS, packed with advanced features for modern communication.
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Key Features of RCS
Apple has finally adopted RCS on the back of continuous agitation from Google, which is aggressively promoting its universal rollout. Compared to old standards for SMS and MMS, RCS has the following impressive upgrades:
- Sending large photo and video files
- Supporting bigger file size
- Audio messaging capabilities
- Group chats with much richer features
- Read receipts and typing indicators
- Much more securely encrypted iPhone-to-Android communication
- Sharing of a location within a chat thread
- Works over cellular data or Wi-Fi
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RCS vs. iMessage: Reducing the Gap
While RCS brings features similar to iMessage, its biggest advantage is cross-platform compatibility. Unlike iMessage, which only works between Apple devices, RCS bridges the gap between iPhone and Android users, creating a more unified messaging experience.
RCS messages still appear as green bubbles in the Messages app, but they carry a “Text Message – RCS” label, making them distinguishable.
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Through RCS, iPhone users get high quality media sharing, read receipts, and typing indicators within conversations with Android users. This is a big boost in communication between platforms.
Key Differences Between RCS and iMessage
- Security: iMessage provides full end-to-end encryption between devices on Apple. RCS presents better security than SMS, but it does not go as far as the iMessage encryption.
- Availability: iMessage is automatically available on all Apple devices, whereas RCS relies on the support of carriers and the compatibility of both parties.
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Adopting RCS from Apple is a giant leap towards closing the gap between iMessage and Android messaging and will make users have a more cohesive and enriched experience of communication.
What RCS Brings to the Table
- Improved Media Sharing: Share high-resolution images and videos without losing any quality.
- Rich Messaging Features: See when Android users are typing or when they’ve read your messages.
- Better Group Chats: Enjoy cohesive group conversations, with features like naming chats and managing members across platforms.
- Wi-Fi Messaging: Just like iMessage, RCS allows messaging over Wi-Fi, even without cellular service.
- Seamless Fallback: If RCS is unavailable, messages automatically fall back to SMS/MMS to ensure delivery.
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How to Enable RCS Messaging in iOS 18
Apple introduced RCS with iOS 18, but requires support from carriers to enable the feature. The main US carriers, Verizon, T-Mobile, and AT&T, already support it.
To turn on RCS on your iPhone:
- Tap Open Settings on your iPhone.
- Scroll down to Apps
- Tap Messages
- Click RCS Messaging under the section for Text Messaging
- Slide the switch to enable RCS Messaging.
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If you don’t see this option, your carrier might not support RCS yet. Visit Apple’s carrier support page for the latest updates.
How to Know If You’re Using RCS
You can check if you’re using RCS by opening a conversation in the Messages app. When messaging someone not using an Apple device, you’ll see “RCS” displayed at the top of the chat window.
The Future of RCS
Apple isn’t stopping with its initial implementation of RCS. The company is collaborating with Google and the Global System for Mobile Communications Association (GSMA) to further enhance the RCS standard. Upcoming updates may include advanced features like editing or deleting sent messages, ensuring a better and more flexible communication experience.
RCS is the way in which a new generation of cross-platform communication is built, bringing closer Android users and iPhone users. These enhanced features with ongoing improvement will redefine messaging for everybody.
