San Francisco, California – The latest iOS 18 developer beta is making waves in the tech community, as iPhone users are now able to send messages to their Android friends without the notorious green bubble. This change comes as carriers are gradually implementing RCS support, a move that has been long-awaited by many in the Apple ecosystem. The shift to RCS means richer messaging experiences, including uncompressed audio and video sharing, and improved group chats.
The second iOS 18 developer beta quietly introduced RCS capability, a feature that was mentioned during WWDC 2024. With this update, iPhone users can now enjoy seamless communication with their Android counterparts, bridging the gap that previously existed between the two platforms. This development is expected to bring relief to users who have long struggled with the limitations of cross-platform messaging.
According to reports, select U.S. carriers such as AT&T, T-Mobile, and Verizon are among the first to roll out RCS support. This move is likely aimed at supporting developers who are focusing on creating apps for iOS 18. As the adoption of RCS grows, more carriers are expected to join in, further expanding the reach of this enhanced messaging protocol.
For users running the iOS 18 developer beta, the option to enable RCS can be found in the settings panel under Settings > Apps > Messages. However, not all carriers have implemented this feature yet, so some users may need to wait for their provider to enable it. In the meantime, users are advised to consider reverting to a stable version of iOS if they encounter any issues with the beta.
The introduction of RCS support raises questions about whether users will ultimately migrate back to the default Messages app for cross-platform communication. While some users may prefer alternative messaging platforms for specific features, the convenience of using Apple Messages to communicate with a broader audience may lead to a resurgence in its popularity among iPhone users. The true impact of this shift will become clearer when iOS 18 is officially released to iPhones later this fall.