iOS 18 will launch this fall with main enhancements like Apple Intelligence, new customization instruments, and extra. However one of many largest adjustments is coming with Messages: RCS assist.
RCS will make messaging between iPhones and Androids work higher than ever. Right here’s what meaning for you.
RCS makes iPhone-Android conversations higher than ever
When contemplating textual content messaging, there are a couple of totally different texting strategies to pay attention to.
- iMessage is Apple’s personal, proprietary textual content messaging system. iPhones, Macs, iPads, and different Apple gadgets can talk with one another over iMessage. That’s not altering in iOS 18. iMessage conversations use blue bubbles.
- SMS/MMS make up the texting system that the iPhone’s Messages app defaults to when speaking with an Android person. SMS/MMS conversations use inexperienced bubbles.
- RCS is sort of a newer, higher model of SMS and MMS that can make messaging between iPhones and Android higher than ever earlier than.
RCS stands for Wealthy Communication Companies, and it has been extensively obtainable on Android gadgets for some time. Whereas SMS/MMS are technically extra widespread, they’re an older expertise and include extra limitations.
For instance, Androids supporting RCS can react to different messages utilizing a coronary heart, thumbs up, or different Tapback-like reactions. RCS additionally allows sending larger high quality photographs and movies, learn receipts, typing indicators, and extra.
iOS 18 makes RCS the brand new fallback when you may’t iMessage
In iOS 17 and prior variations of the Messages app, messaging between an iPhone and Android machine may very well be unreliable. It’s because the iPhone relied on SMS/MMS in these conditions, and people are older applied sciences that don’t appear to play as good with iMessage.
After gaining RCS assist in iOS 18, your conversations with Android customers ought to be free from the complications they’ve beforehand introduced. RCS conversations will nonetheless use inexperienced bubbles moderately than blue ones, however they need to be way more dependable for on a regular basis use. You gained’t have to fret about media not going by means of as a result of it’s too high-quality, or messages getting misplaced the best way they generally do. And also you’ll be capable to use extra of the iMessage options you realize and love out of your blue bubble threads.
Importantly, SMS and MMS aren’t going away, they’re simply being relegated to third-string. RCS depends on cellular information to ship messages, moderately than a standard texting plan, so in conditions the place you may’t use information however do have a fundamental cell connection, your iPhone will make the most of SMS.
Accessible at present in beta
RCS is presently supported within the iOS 18 beta for choose US carriers, so you may check it out if you happen to’re operating the beta and your provider is on board. Be aware that the expertise is more likely to change through the course of the iOS 18 beta and never all options could also be supported instantly.
FTC: We use earnings incomes auto affiliate hyperlinks. Extra.