This week, Apple released iOS 18 Beta 2 which includes support for Rich Communication Services (RCS) in the US. The new update enables RCS messaging on iPhones running on compatible carriers like AT&T, T-Mobile, or Verizon. However, this feature is not available for users on MVNOs like Google Fi. Once RCS is active on an iPhone, it allows seamless communication with Android users using Google Messages, displaying higher-resolution images and videos, delivery/read indicators, and write indicators.
In Google Messages, when conversing with an iPhone user, the term “RCS message” will appear in the text field to indicate the usage of RCS. The conversations are not end-to-end encrypted, as indicated by a lock icon with a slash. Google offers its own end-to-end encryption for Messages on Android devices, and Apple plans to add encryption to the RCS Universal Profile standard in the future.
Some missing settings are observed when viewing the Details page of a conversation with an iPhone user. Toggles like “Send SMS and MMS messages only” and E2EE status are absent in most cases unless the user has switched from Android to iOS with an active connection.
In group conversations on Google Messages, users can change the group name, sync it with all members, and leave the group if desired. It is likely that Google will address these inconsistencies in Messages before the official launch of iOS 18 in the fall.
Overall, the experience of using RCS between iOS and Android is simple and long-awaited. Google is expected to make necessary updates to ensure a seamless experience for users across different platforms.
Article Source
https://9to5google.com/2024/06/27/google-messages-rcs-iphone/