Apple is to bring Rich Communications Services (RCS) support to the iPhone in 2024 to improve communications interoperability with Android, and to comply with new European regulations like the Digital Markets Act (DMA).
“Later next year, we will be adding support for RCS Universal Profile, the standard as currently published by the GSM Association,” an Apple statement reads.
“We believe the 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.”
RCS will bring a host of iMessage-like features to text conversations between iPhones and Android phones including:
- Read receipts
- Typing indicators
- Location sharing
- High-resolution photos/videos
- Texting via Wi-Fi and mobile data
RCS will work alongside SMS and MMS in the iPhone’s Messages app as an option for users who text with non-iPhone users.
It is NOT iMessage coming to Android and it is highly unlikely that it will end the “blue bubble, green bubble” saga.
