Apple's iOS 18 RCS support available to beta users

In November 2023, Apple announced its plans to support Rich Communication Services (RCS) messaging for iOS, exciting users who have been wanting better messaging between iPhone and Android phones. But beyond announcing support coming in 2024, details were scarce.

Then, during its WWDC keynote event on June 10, Craig Federighi, Apple's senior vice president of Software Engineering announced its Messages app would support RCS in iOS 18 this fall.

Apple's announcement at WWDC 2024 that iOS 18 will support RCS messaging. Image source: Apple WWDC24 keynote.

And earlier this summer, 9to5Macreported that RCS was available to some users as part of the iOS 18 beta, including a few U.S. carriers like AT&T, T-Mobile, and Verizon.

These developments have made enthusiasts super excited for the future of customer experience. Let's dive into why Apple's official launch of RCS in iOS 18 is so compelling.

Why is RCS on iOS 18 beta exciting for cross-platform messaging?

RCS on iOS 18 beta - and its broader roll-out more widely this fall - offers a big upgrade and new features from the current SMS experience that happens when iPhone users message Android users.

Currently, messaging between different operating systems is often frustrating - photos and videos are sent at a lower quality, message length is limited, and interactive features aren't well supported. But with RCS in iOS 18, cross-platform messaging will receive a major boost, offering a more consistent and enhanced experience across devices.

After its announcement, Apple added a "support for RCS messaging" section on its iOS 18 preview page, showcasing green bubbles and high-quality images as a sneak peek.

What we've seen so far from iOS 18 beta users is that the following RCS features work between Androids and iPhones:

• Read receipts
• Typing indicators
• Large photos and videos
• Voice memos
• Tapbacks/reactions

How do you turn on RCS in iOS 18?

Want to see if you can try RCS on the iOS 18 beta out for yourself? First, you need to make sure that your carrier supports RCS and that your iPhone is running iOS 18.

Then, on your iPhone, open "Settings," scroll down to your Apps, and find and tap "Messages." Under "Text Messaging," you'll see an RCS Messaging option if it's supported by your carrier and your operating system. Just toggle it on, and you'll be all set to test out enhanced messaging in iMessage.

How Apple's support of RCS in iOS 18 will impact A2P messaging

RCS support in iOS 18 is a real win for both Android and iPhone users. But the real game-changer will come when RCS Business Messaging (RBM) for application-to-person (A2P) messaging also becomes available on Apple devices.

And this prospect is already on the horizon. Apple has committed to adding support for the RCS Universal Profile, the standard from the GSM Association that includes A2P messaging. Tim Atkinson, the EMEA Business Development Manager at Google, confirmed at the Mobile Ecosystem Forum Connects meeting in December 2023 that Apple would support Universal Profile 2.4, which supports RBM. Additionally, Sinch and other providers have successfully been able to test RBM in beta in some markets.

This confirms that business messaging (A2P) features will eventually be supported by Apple. While we don't have a confirmed timeline for when A2P RCS will be enabled, more information is expected to be released later this year.

When Apple adopts RCS for business messaging, it could mean a range of powerful features for businesses, like:

• Full enterprise profiles including a Business Information page

• Verified senders

• Read receipts

• Suggested reply buttons

• Multiple-choice carousels

• Ability to share location, send quick-dial buttons, and save-to-wallet functions

• ...and so much more.

Sinch is ready to support brands with RCS

Apple's announcement that RCS messaging will be included in iOS 18 at WWDC24 has ignited excitement about the future, and this is just the beginning. We've already seen exponential growth in RCS business usage, and as the messaging standard becomes more widely available, we can only expect this to accelerate.

"RCS offers rich, interactive messaging experiences, and will allow businesses to engage with their customers in dynamic new ways. At Sinch, we're ready for this transformation. With the best super network, built over 15 years, and strong partnerships with Google and mobile operators globally, we can't wait to see how this new era of messaging will unfold.

For previous versions of iOS, we have seen over 50% of all iPhones having the newest iOS version by winter, with that number increasing to 80% by the subsequent summer. If the adoption speed of iOS 18 matches that of previous iOS versions, this would translate to over one billion additional RCS users by summer 2025 thanks to Apple coming onboard."

- Robert Gerstmann, Chief Evangelist and Co-Founder at Sinch

At Sinch, our expertise lies in our global super network, our strong, direct relationships with mobile operators, and our in-house experts focused on helping brands build their RCS branded messages strategies. Our strong partnership with Google and experience implementing RCS for the likes of Picard and EasyPark means we're in an ideal position to continue helping brands create engaging experiences for their customers.

Plus, we offer a full-stack solution with APIs and in SaaS applications where RCS is available, ensuring that businesses can tap into RCS' full potential almost immediately.

We're not just ready for RCS to be available on all devices - we're actively driving that change. Our platform is fully equipped to handle the demands of RCS, providing businesses with the tools and support needed to take advantage of it.

Ready to jump on the RCS bandwagon? Get in touch with our team or download our comprehensive RCS guide that will walk you through how to make the case to bring RCS into your organization.

Curious about Apple's other big news from WWDC24? Learn about the major Mail app revamp in iOS 18 and its impact on email deliverability.

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