Apple Finally Agrees to Bring RCS Support to iPhone Next Year

Apple is reportedly working in direction of enhancing the texting expertise between iPhone and Android gadgets by adopting the RCS (Rich Communication Services) protocol in 2024. The new RCS normal will work alongside iMessage and convey a number of messaging options together with learn receipts, typing indicators, the flexibility to share high-quality photos and movies, and extra. RCS can work over cellular knowledge or Wi-Fi. Currently, Android telephones and carriers help the RCS messaging normal. The function is claimed to attain iPhone fashions by way of a software program replace subsequent yr.

As per a report by 9to5Mac, an Apple spokesperson stated in an announcement that the iPhone will probably be gaining RCS (Rich Communication Services) help beginning subsequent yr. The report quotes the assertion — “Later next year, we will be adding support for RCS Universal Profile, the standard as currently published by the GSM Association. We believe RCS Universal Profile will offer a better interoperability experience when compared to SMS or MMS. This will work alongside iMessage, which will continue to be the best and most secure messaging experience for Apple users”. We’ve reached out to Apple for a remark. 

The RCS function will launch on iPhone fashions by way of a software program replace subsequent yr and add a variety of iMessage-style options to messaging between iPhone and Android customers together with learn receipts, and typing indicators. Also, customers will probably be in a position to share and obtain high-resolution pictures and movies between iPhone and Android handsets with the brand new protocol. The adoption of RCS on iPhone fashions may even let folks share their location in textual content threads and function group chats rapidly. Unlike common SMS, RCS can work over mobile and Wi-Fi as effectively. RCS messages may very well be proven in inexperienced, like SMS messages.

Apple had pushed again the RCS normal backed by the GSM Association for greater than a yr, regardless of repeated requests from Google and Samsung. The messaging normal has already been adopted by Android telephones and carriers nationwide. The implementation of RCS on iPhone will pave the way in which for a balanced communication expertise between Android and iPhone fashions. However, iMessage will stay unique to Apple gadgets.

In response to Apple’s new announcement, Google’s Senior Vice President of Platforms and Ecosystems Hiroshi Lockheimer posted on X (previously Twitter)— “Everybody should have secure and modern messaging without worrying what kind of phone they’re texting to. So glad to see Apple joining our ongoing work with the GSMA on RCS to make texting better for all!”.

The announcement additionally comes simply days after Carl Pei-led Nothing introduced that its Android telephones would help iMessage by way of a brand new function.