RCS (Rich Communication Services) in iOS 18 is a messaging standard that Apple is adopting, which will enhance the messaging experience between iPhone and Android devices4. It offers higher quality photos and videos, larger file sizes for attachments, audio messages, improved group chats, read receipts, typing indicators, better encryption, cross-platform emoji reactions, and location sharing. RCS aims to bridge the gap between iMessage and Android messaging, providing a more unified messaging experience across different smartphone platforms.
Apple decided to adopt RCS to improve the messaging experience between iPhone and Android devices. RCS offers higher quality photos and videos, larger file sizes for attachments, audio messages, improved group chats, read receipts, typing indicators, better encryption, cross-platform emoji reactions, and location sharing within text threads. This adoption aims to bridge the gap between iMessage and Android messaging, providing a more unified messaging experience regardless of device type.
RCS offers several advantages over SMS and MMS, including higher quality photos and videos, larger file sizes for attachments, improved group chats, read receipts and typing indicators, better encryption for chats between iPhone and Android users, cross-platform emoji reactions, and the ability to work over both cellular networks and Wi-Fi.