Apple will support RCS with iOS 18, improving messaging experience between iPhone and Android

RCS (Rich Communication Services) messaging is a communication protocol that provides a more advanced messaging experience compared to traditional SMS (Short Messaging Service) and MMS (Multimedia Messaging Service). RCS supports features such as high-resolution image and video attachments, typing indicators, read receipts, and more, offering a more seamless and richer communication experience.

Apple's adoption of RCS messaging in iOS 18 will enhance communication between Apple and Android users by bridging some of the gaps between iMessage and SMS/MMS. When texting an Android user, the Messages app will now label the conversation as "Text Message • RCS," indicating that the user will get an upgraded texting experience. This includes the ability to send higher-quality images and videos, as RCS allows for larger file sizes compared to SMS.

While iPhone-to-iPhone communication will still offer the best experience through iMessage, RCS helps to resolve some of the biggest pain points of SMS when communicating between iPhone and Android users. As long as both members of the conversation are using devices that support RCS, conversations will take place over the newer standard automatically, providing a more consistent and improved messaging experience across platforms.

In the iOS 18 update, the specific label that will be included in the text field to indicate an RCS conversation is "Text Message • RCS". This label will let users know that they will get an upgraded texting experience compared to traditional SMS.