US carriers enable RCS for iPhone users on iOS 18 beta 2

Apple has added Rich Communication Services to a new build of its recently-released iOS 18, potentially changing messaging for many iPhone owners drastically. This development, preceded by a similar move on the part of Google and its partners, is set to enhance messaging experience between iOS and Android users — it works around the limitations of regular texts.

Apple's announcement on RCS support comes after years of the company snubbing the technology and in huge part thanks to Google's patience in continuously prodding Apple to enhance cross-platform messaging systems. Traditionally, messages between iOS and Android devices were sent as SMS/MMS messages, causing several issues such as fuzzy photos and videos, truncated messages, lack of end-to-end encryption. These caused lots of inconveniences for consumers, creating frustratingly fragmented experiences with messaging.

Recent reports from a user on X (formerly Twitter) confirm that RCS has already been activated for some iPhone users. Several beta testers of iOS 18 beta 2 that have a SIM card from any of the larger US carriers (AT&T, T-Mobile, Verizon) report the technology is now available for anyone to use. To enable it, one would have to go to Settings →‬ Apps →‬ Messages.

However, this isn't a wide rollout just yet. The need to have the carrier support the technology is what stands in the way of that happening; so far, only the three biggest US carriers have implemented the changes/updates required. Users on smaller carriers and Mobile Virtual Network Operators (MVNOs) will have to wait for a while.

Apple did promise to deliver RCS integration at the Worldwide Developers Conference for a significant uplift in iPhone texting capabilities. This means that Apple device owners will now enjoy high-definition media sharing, message read notifications, and typing indicators when chatting with Android users, finally closing one of the several gaps between iOS and Android.

The iPhone 14 Pro (256 GB, Silver, Renewed Premium - Amazon.com) is one of the phones eligible of iOS 18 betas.