RCS messaging on iPhone: New methods to speak with Android associates

Wealthy Communication Companies messaging is new to iPhone, and it makes chatting with Android customers far more enjoyable. RCS messaging makes options like learn receipts, video and file attachments and named group chats — beforehand unique to iMessage (and a few apps) — doable between iPhone and Android.

What RCS options are you able to benefit from? Hold studying or watch our video information.

RCS messaging on iPhone: All the pieces it’s essential know

The RCS messaging protocol presents a safer and dynamic expertise than the previous SMS and MMS requirements (quick for Quick Message Service and Multimedia Message Service, respectively). RCS messaging is like Apple’s proprietary iMessage system — however for all smartphones, not simply iPhones.

iMessage is Apple’s unique messaging platform utilized by the Messages app. iMessage is used any time you’re texting one other individual with an Apple gadget, be it an iPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple Watch or Imaginative and prescient Professional. As a result of it’s Apple’s proprietary service, Apple over time has added superior options like stickers, video games, end-to-end encryption and extra. iMessages are represented by blue bubbles within the Messages app.

After which there’s SMS and MMS that are the older commonplace texting companies developed by cell carriers. SMS is a approach of sending textual content messages and (low-resolution) footage between any two cellphone numbers. It’s a typical characteristic utilized by cellphone carriers, so for those who’re not texting one other iPhone by way of iMessage, or for those who get an automatic robo-text, it’s in all probability SMS.

What’s RCS messaging?

RCS is a contemporary protocol, which meets someplace within the center between SMS and iMessage. It presents learn receipts, typing indicators, help for higher-quality media and extra. Because of Apple including RCS messaging help to the iPhone, inexperienced bubble texting simply received a lot higher. Sadly (for Android customers anyway), the inexperienced bubbles aren’t going anyplace. The inexperienced bubbles will nonetheless point out you’re messaging somebody exterior the iMessage system. Additionally, to make use of RCS, each you and the individual you’re texting must have telephones and mobile carriers that help RCS.

RCS messaging on Android

RCS has been a characteristic of Android telephones for a lot of years now; implementation of the service snowballed between 2017 and 2023. It’s out there in Google Messages, Samsung Messages, +Message and others. Google provides options on high of the usual by end-to-end encrypting texts between two customers of Google Messages; RCS messages aren’t in any other case end-to-end encrypted.

Desk of contents: All the pieces it’s essential find out about RCS messaging on iPhone

1. The best way to activate RCS messaging on iPhone
2. RCS messaging with learn receipts and typing indicators
3. Ship high-resolution photos and movies
4. Ship recordsdata and voice memos
5. Rename a gaggle chat
6. RCS messaging on iPhone over Wi-Fi as a substitute of mobile
7. Textual content internationally for much less
8. Flip off RCS messaging in your iPhone

The best way to activate RCS messaging on iPhone

First, you’ll must be sure to’re operating iOS/iPadOS 18 or later. It’s out there proper now as a free replace in Settings > Normal > Software program Replace. It’s suitable with the iPhone XS, iPhone XR, iPhone SE (2nd technology) and later. On a Mac, it’s essential replace to macOS Sequoia 15 or later.

Test that RCS is enabled in Settings > Apps > Messages by checking RCS Messaging.

For those who don’t see that choice, it’s doable your cell service doesn’t help it. In Settings > Normal > About > Service, “IMS Standing” ought to say “Voice, SMS & RCS.”

The individual you’re texting additionally wants to satisfy the identical necessities: a suitable cell service and a suitable cellphone. Assist amongst Android units, software program and texting apps will fluctuate. Google Voice, for instance, doesn’t help RCS.

RCS messaging with learn receipts and typing indicators

RCS messaging consists of a number of the niceties of iMessage, like learn receipts and typing indicators. By default, it matches the learn receipt setting you could have set for iMessage. In Settings > Apps > Messages, you’ll be able to allow or disable Ship Learn Receipts.

You too can customise it per individual if, for instance, you need it off for everybody besides your associate, otherwise you need it on for everybody besides your loved ones. Within the Messages app, faucet on a dialog, faucet on the contact’s title on the high and set Ship Learn Receipts to your most popular setting.

Ship high-resolution photos and movies

One of many largest benefits of RCS messaging is you could ship footage at a a lot greater decision. Movies will now not be compressed to the scale of a postage stamp.

Faucet and maintain on the + button to leap straight into your picture library. Swipe up for a full-size browser. Choose as many photos or movies as you need and faucet Ship.

Ship recordsdata and voice memos

Voice recordings and voice memos will be despatched by way of RCS messaging, too. Faucet + and faucet Audio. It’ll begin recording instantly. Faucet the Cease button if you’re executed. You possibly can play it again, faucet × to delete it or hit Ship to cross it alongside.

You too can share recordsdata like PDFs, Phrase paperwork and spreadsheets. The one restrict is a 100 MB attachment dimension. You possibly can ship paperwork or recordsdata from the system share sheet.

Rename a gaggle chat

For those who’re in a gaggle dialog and everybody’s numbers help RCS messaging, you’ll have the ability to give the dialog a gaggle title and picture. Simply faucet the group title alongside the highest and faucet Change Identify and Picture. You possibly can sort in no matter title you need. For the image, you’ll be able to take one together with your digicam, select one out of your picture library, or decide an emoji. Everybody within the group will have the ability to see what you set — however they’ll change it, too.

This characteristic is standard amongst these with iMessage, and on different platforms like Snapchat and Fb Messenger. You possibly can title it after a street journey that’s arising, set it to an inside joke, or take a extra literal method.

RCS messaging on iPhone over Wi-Fi as a substitute of mobile

Probably the greatest modifications behind the scenes is that RCS messaging can work over Wi-Fi, not simply mobile. For those who’re on a prepare or taking a flight, it’s possible you’ll not have a cell sign, however there is likely to be onboard Wi-Fi. You’ll nonetheless have the ability to textual content your Android associates with the Wi-Fi alone.

Sadly, this doesn’t imply that your Mac can ship RCS messages by itself; it nonetheless wants to make use of textual content message forwarding out of your iPhone. That’s as a result of RCS, like SMS, nonetheless will depend on your eSIM and cellphone quantity.

Textual content internationally for much less

RCS messages don’t have the steep worldwide pricing that SMS messages might include. Whereas limitless speak, textual content and knowledge plans are frequent among the many largest carriers in america, many individuals all over the world or with finances cellphone plans should still pay per textual content message. RCS messages can scale back your month-to-month invoice.

It’s because RCS messages are delivered over Wi-Fi or knowledge by way of the web, fairly than the cell service’s personal SMS supply system.

The best way to flip off RCS messaging in your iPhone

If, for some purpose, you wish to flip RCS off, it’s easy. Return to Settings > Apps > Messages and uncheck RCS Messaging.

Extra new options in Messages

For extra new options in Messages, take a look at the 4 different new options in iOS 18 and the different nice options in iOS 17.