iOS 18 finally brings the ability to send messages via iMessage to Android users. Here’s what those conversations look like in iOS 18!
RCS available in iOS 18
Starting with iOS 18, it’s going to be a lot easier to have conversations with Android users via Apple’s Messages app, as support for RCS is finally arriving (rich communication services). This is a new standard for sending messages between different operating systems. Currently, it is still SMS (short message service)but RCS is also added in iOS 18.
Also read: Sending messages with your iPhone will soon be possible without data
This is the result of new European legislation, which requires Apple to add RCS to iOS 18. The technology has been around since 2007, but Apple refused to expand the Messages app with RCS. Instead, iMessage was given more features, in the hope that it would sell more iPhones. Now, Messages is getting a lot more features with RCS, allowing you to have seamless conversations with Android users in iOS 18.
Benefits of RCS
Where you are currently limited to a maximum length of 160 characters in an SMS message, this is much more with RCS. With RCS you have almost all the functions that you also get with WhatsApp, for example, even in conversations with Android users via Messages. From iOS 18 onwards, you can also send photos and videos from an iPhone to Android in these conversations, or create group conversations.
Other benefits of RCS include read receipts, so you can see when a message has arrived and if it has been read. You can also see when someone is typing, as is already the case with WhatsApp. In addition to sharing high-quality photos and videos, RCS also allows you to send audio messages. With iOS 18, conversations in Messages will gain many more functions.
RCS in iOS 18 beta 2
Apple has released the second test version of iOS 18 and one of the new features in the update is support for RCS. The first images of RCS have already been shared, in conversations in Messages from iOS 18 ‘SMS’ or RCS’ will appear at the top of the screen. You have to enable RCS yourself, then you can use all the benefits. WhatsApp is then no longer needed to share photos or videos with Android users.
Also read: WhatsApp addict: this is how many messages you have sent in total
In the Netherlands, we still have to wait a little longer for RCS in iOS 18, because Apple has announced that it will only bring the function to the European Union later. This has to do with European legislation, which Apple does not yet comply with according to the European Commission. That is why Dutch users with iOS 18 beta 2 can unfortunately not yet enable RCS. Curious about which other functions will come to your iPhone with the update? Then read all about the second test version of iOS 18 here!
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