Apple today confirmed that it is working to bring full RCS support to the Messages app on iPhone as soon as next year in a new statement given to 9to5Mac.
RCS compatibility will go live via a software update sometime next year, though it remains unclear if it will be a part of iOS 17 or the forthcoming iOS 18. Apple in its statement says that RCS support will offer a “better interoperability experience” between iPhone and Android texting.
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.
Apple statement to 9to5Mac
RCS, or Rich Communication Services, is a more complete and advanced messaging standard compared to the current SMS and MMS protocols. It offers many features that are already available as part of iMessage including read receipts, voice notes, high-quality media, native typing indicators, and more. Unlike SMS, RCS messages can be sent and received over WiFi in addition to cellular coverage.
According to 9to5Mac, Apple also says it will work with members of the GSM Association to bring improvements to the RCS standard as a whole, including better encryption and security features. Apple is also stressing that iMessage will remain intact on its own as the default choice for texting between the company’s own devices. iOS will also continue to support SMS and MMS as usual alongside RCS.
The development comes as Apple is under high pressure from the European Union and even its competitors to adopt RCS on its platforms. The EU is still contemplating whether iMessage should be designated as a “gatekeeper” service under its Digital Market Act (DMA), while Apple is ready to appeal the EU’s potential inclusion alongside the App Store in court.
