RCS on iPhones Will Make Texting Android Users Less Tedious

Apple is set to adopt the Rich Communication Services (RCS) protocol on iPhones, which promises to enhance messaging with Android users by offering features like high-resolution media sharing and typing indicators, similar to iMessage. This change aims to modernize the texting experience between iPhone and Android devices, though iMessage exclusivity will remain, maintaining the blue-bubble-green-bubble divide.

The implementation of RCS on iPhones could arrive with iOS 18, potentially announced at Apple's Worldwide Developers Conference on June 10. Despite this advancement, some features will stay exclusive to iMessage or Google's Messages app. The exact date for RCS availability on iPhones is still uncertain, though it's hinted to be in the fall of 2024. This move by Apple might also be influenced by a recent antitrust suit from the Department of Justice, pushing for more interoperability in messaging services.