Apple has announced the release of the second beta of iOS 18, which includes support for the Rich Communication Service (RCS) protocol. This update allows users to utilize all the features of iMessage to send and receive messages using data or WiFi between iPhone users, as well as with Android users. Previously, Apple only allowed sending messages, photos, and videos over WiFi networks or mobile data to other Apple devices like iPhones, iPads, and Mac computers.
The integration of the RCS protocol was announced by Apple last year in response to Google Messages app’s implementation in 2019. The goal behind this integration was to provide a better interoperability experience compared to SMS or MMS. Users who have tested this feature in the second beta have reported that their devices indicate the message is an RCS message at the top of the iMessage chat. The RCS protocol offers various features such as writing indicators, read notifications, and the ability to send high-quality photos and videos.
With this new functionality, RCS messages will appear in green bubbles instead of traditional blue bubbles used for iMessage communications. This update has been tested by users from US operators like AT&T, T-Mobile, and Verizon.
The update aims to enhance the messaging experience for users across different devices and platforms by providing a more seamless communication experience between iPhone and Android users. With this integration, users can now send multimedia files such as photos and videos over data or WiFi networks without any limitations.
Overall, this update is an important step towards providing a more unified messaging platform that works seamlessly across different devices and platforms.
