What Is RCS on iPhone? 5 Things You Should Know

Hey, iPhone users! If you’ve updated to iOS 18, you may have seen something called “RCS” in your Messages settings and thought, “What is RCS on iPhone?” 

If you’re tired of blurry videos in group chats with Android users or want better texting, RCS is here to help. It’s Apple’s way to make texting between iPhones and Androids easier and better.

RCS isn’t the same as iMessage, but it’s way better than old texting (SMS and MMS). It adds cool features to chats between iPhones and Android phones. With over 93% of smartphone consumers texting daily, RCS is changing the way we message. 

Let’s look at five simple things you should know about RCS on iPhone. Get ready to make texting more fun and easier!

What Is RCS, and How Does It Work on iPhone?

RCS stands for Rich Communication Services. It’s a new and better way to send text messages. Old texts (like SMS) could only send short messages and blurry pictures. RCS lets you send better stuff like clear photos, see when someone is typing, and have group chats that work well.

Although RCS has existed since 2007, Apple first added RCS support with the release of iOS 18 on September 18, 2024. Now, when you text someone with an Android phone, your iPhone can use RCS (if both phones and networks allow it). The message bubble is still green, but texting is much smoother and more fun.

How It Works

• Carrier Support: RCS requires carrier backing (e.g., AT&T, Verizon, T-Mobile). As of May 2025, most major U.S. carriers support RCS on iOS 18, with more joining globally.
• Internet Connection: RCS uses mobile data or Wi-Fi, unlike SMS, which relies on cellular voice networks. This makes it more reliable in Wi-Fi zones, but it is dependent on data.
• Messages App Integration: No new app needed. RCS works in your native Messages app. You’ll see an “RCS” watermark in the text box when it’s active.

Example

Imagine texting your Android-using friend a video from a hike. Pre-iOS 18, it’d arrive blurry via MMS. With RCS, it’s crisp, full-resolution, and you’ll see when they’re typing a reply. It’s not iMessage-level polish, but it’s a huge upgrade.

Quick Comparison: RCS vs. SMS vs. iMessage

Here’s a table to show how RCS stacks up against SMS and iMessage on iPhone, making it clear why it’s worth using.

Feature	RCS (iOS 18+)	SMS/MMS	iMessage
High-Res Media	Yes	No (compressed)	Yes
Typing Indicators	Yes (limited in groups)	No	Yes
Read Receipts	Yes	No	Yes
Group Chats	Named; can’t leave	Unreliable	Named; can leave
Encryption	Transport only	None	End-to-End
Bubble Color	Green	Green	Blue
Data/Wi-Fi	Yes	No	Yes

5 Things You Should Know About RCS

Texting between iPhones and Android phones has always been tricky. iPhones use blue bubbles (iMessage), which work well. But texting on an Android phone gives you green bubbles, blurry pictures, and messy group chats. In September 2024, Apple added RCS with iOS 18 to fix some of these problems. 

It’s not perfect, and green bubbles are still around, but texting between different phones is much better now. If you text friends or clients who use Android, RCS is good to know about. Here are five important things you should know about it.

1. RCS Makes Texting Between iPhone and Android Way Better

RCS is like SMS on steroids. It’s a protocol that uses Wi-Fi or mobile data to deliver richer messages, replacing the clunky SMS/MMS standard for iPhone-Android chats. Introduced by the GSM Association (GSMA), RCS brings features iPhone users expect from iMessage to green bubble conversations.

What You Get

• High-Quality Media: Send full-resolution photos and videos, not pixelated MMS messes.
• Typing Indicators: See when someone’s typing, keeping chats lively.
• Read Receipts: Know when your message is delivered or read (if enabled).
• Better Group Chats: Name groups and add/remove people, though you can’t leave chats yet.

How It Works

When you text an Android user with RCS enabled (e.g., via Google Messages), your Messages app switches from SMS to RCS if your carrier supports it. You’ll see an “RCS” watermark in the text box.

Example

You’re texting your Android-using buddy a concert video. With RCS, it’s crisp and high-res, and you see they’re typing “Awesome!” back. No more blurry clips or guessing if they got it.

2. How RCS Makes Business Texting Smarter

RCS isn’t just for friends; it’s a powerhouse for businesses. Rich Communication Services Business Messaging (RBM) lets brands send interactive texts with logos, buttons, and carousels, turning your Messages app into a mini shopping or support hub. Apple’s adoption of RCS in 2024 opened the door for this, and it’s gaining steam in 2025.

How RBM Helps You Chat with Businesses

• Interactive Content: Get a restaurant menu with “Order Now” buttons or a retailer’s product carousel in Messages.
• Verified Senders: Brands use verified profiles, reducing spam risks. Google reports that 74% of users trust verified RCS messages.
• No App Needed: Unlike WhatsApp, RBM works in your native Messages app, streamlining communication.

Why It Matters

Imagine ordering coffee or booking a flight without leaving Messages. Early adopters like Starbucks are testing RBM for loyalty programs, and analysts predict that 50% of U.S. retailers will use it by 2026. For you, it means faster, more engaging customer service.

Example

A local shop sends you an RCS message with a sale alert and a “Shop Now” button. You browse their catalog in Messages, order a gift, and track delivery—all without an app.

3. RCS Is Growing, but Your Phone Company Has to Support It

RCS on iPhone is expanding worldwide, but it’s not universal yet. Apple’s iOS 18 brought RCS to the U.S., Canada, and parts of Europe, with iOS 18.4 (January 2025) adding carriers like Google Fi and international players.

The Catch

• Carrier Reliance: RCS needs carrier backing. If your carrier (or your Android friend’s) doesn’t support it, you’re stuck with SMS. Smaller carriers like Mint Mobile lag behind.
• Regional Gaps: While the U.S. leads, countries like India and Brazil are slower to adopt due to fragmented carrier networks.
• Data Usage: RCS uses mobile data or Wi-Fi, so roaming charges apply without Wi-Fi. Check your plan to avoid surprises.

How to Check Support

Go to Settings > General > About > Carrier and tap “Carrier” to see “IMS Status.” If it says “Voice, SMS & RCS,” you’re good. If not, contact your carrier or wait for iOS updates.

Example

You’re in the U.S. on Verizon, texting a friend in Spain. If their carrier supports RCS, you get high-res media and typing indicators. If not, it’s SMS city.

4. RCS Isn’t Fully Secure (Yet)

Security is a big deal for messaging, and RCS on iPhone has a catch: it lacks end-to-end encryption (E2EE) for iOS-Android chats as of May 2025. iMessage sets the bar with E2EE, keeping chats private between iPhones. RCS? Not quite there.

Security Breakdown

• Current State: RCS uses transport encryption (phone to carrier), but carriers or authorities (with warrants) could access messages. A 2025 cyberattack on U.S. carriers highlighted this risk.
• E2EE (End-to-End Encryption) Progress: Apple and Google are working on interoperable E2EE for RCS, possibly in iOS 19 (fall 2025).

What to Do

RCS is safe for casual texting, like sharing photos or plans. For private stuff, stick to secure apps until Apple rolls out E2EE. Check iOS updates for security improvements.

Example

You’re texting an Android-using colleague about a project. RCS is fine for sharing a presentation, but for contract details, you switch to Signal to stay secure.

5. RCS Has Some Bugs That Can Be Annoying

RCS on iPhone isn’t flawless. While it’s a leap from SMS, it comes with quirks that can trip you up, especially in mixed iPhone-Android chats. Knowing these helps you use RCS smarter.

Notable Quirks

• Green Bubbles Persist: RCS messages stay green, so the iMessage “blue bubble elite” vibe lingers. No social fix here.
• Reaction Issues: Android emoji reactions (e.g., thumbs-up) may appear as text like “Liked an image” instead of overlaying the message.
• Group Chat Limits: You can’t leave RCS group chats or see consistent typing indicators in mixed groups. Apple’s working on fixes for iOS 19.
• Feature Lag: RCS lacks iMessage perks like message editing or iMessage Apps, keeping Android chats less polished.

How to Handle Them

• Ignore the green bubble drama—it’s cosmetic.
• Ask Android friends to enable RCS in Google Messages for better reaction support.
• Use WhatsApp for complex group chats until RCS improves.
• Stay patient for iOS updates to smooth out kinks.

Example

In a mixed group chat, you see “Sarah liked a photo” instead of a heart emoji from an Android user. It’s clunky, but you still get high-res photos and named chats, beating SMS.

How to Enable RCS on Your iPhone?

Want to try RCS? It’s easy, but your carrier and iOS version matter. Here’s how to set it up in May 2025:

1. Update iOS:
   • Go to Settings > General > Software Update. Ensure you’re on iOS 18.4 or later.
2. Check Carrier:
   • Navigate to Settings > General > About > Carrier. Tap “Carrier” to see “IMS Status.” Look for “Voice, SMS & RCS.”
3. Turn On RCS:
   • Go to Settings > Apps > Messages. Toggle RCS Messaging on.
4. Restart: Reboot your iPhone to apply changes.
5. Test It: Text an Android user with RCS enabled. Look for “RCS” in the Messages text box.

Troubleshooting

• No RCS toggle? Your carrier may not support it. Check with them or wait for updates.
• Not working? Ensure both devices have RCS and a data connection.
• Roaming? Use Wi-Fi to avoid data charges.

Upgrade Your Messaging Strategy with RCS

RCS is a pretty big deal for your green bubble chats. You’ll now be able to send super clear photos and see when your Android friends are typing, which is a huge step up from the old way of texting.

But, it’s not totally perfect just yet. You’ll still see those green bubbles. Sometimes, Android emoji reactions might pop up as text, and these chats don’t have the same end-to-end encryption that iMessage does. Also, it still depends on your phone company supporting it.

Even with these few quirks, getting such a better texting experience across different phones is a clear win. Just keep your iPhone updated, and you’ll likely see these features get even smoother as Apple and Google keep working on them.

FAQs About RCS on iPhone

1. What is the main benefit of RCS for iPhone users texting Android phones? 

The biggest benefit is a significantly improved texting experience with Android users. You can now send high-resolution photos and videos (no more blurry media!), see typing indicators, get read receipts, and enjoy more functional group chats with naming capabilities, making green bubble conversations much closer to the iMessage experience.

2. Is RCS on iPhone the same as iMessage? Will my message bubbles turn blue? 

No, RCS is not the same as iMessage, and your message bubbles to Android users will still be green. RCS is an upgrade over old SMS/MMS, bringing iMessage-like features (like high-res media and typing indicators) to iPhone-Android chats, but it remains distinct from Apple’s proprietary iMessage protocol, which uses blue bubbles for iPhone-to-iPhone communication.

3. Is RCS secure? Is it end-to-end encrypted like iMessage? 

As of May 2025, RCS on iPhone lacks end-to-end encryption (E2EE) for iPhone-Android chats, unlike iMessage, which offers E2EE between iPhones. RCS uses transport encryption (phone to carrier), meaning carriers could potentially access messages. Apple and Google are working on interoperable E2EE for RCS, with a possible rollout in iOS 19 (fall 2025) for enhanced privacy.

4. Are there any downsides or lingering quirks with RCS on iPhone? 

Yes, while a huge improvement, RCS on iPhone still has some quirks. Green bubbles persist, Android emoji reactions may appear as text (“Liked an image”), group chats still have limitations (you can’t leave them yet), and they lack some advanced iMessage perks like message editing or iMessage Apps. These issues are expected to improve with future iOS updates.

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