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Important points
- RCS bridges the messaging gap between iPhone and Android.
- RCS messages maintain a rich format across platforms.
- Apple’s iMessage will remain unchanged, but RCS messages will be green, similar to SMS.
Google’s goal of making Rich Communications Services (RCS) a universal messaging protocol is closer to reality. When RCS support for iPhone rolls out late next year, SMS and MMS constraints will no longer be imposed on message exchanges between iPhone and Android users.
Although availability may still vary by carrier, all three major U.S. carriers support RCS, and the majority of carriers around the world are following suit. Masu. Therefore, starting in 2024, iPhone 15 and Pixel 8 owners will be able to exchange RCS messages. The same applies to iPhone and Android smartphones that support RCS.
Starting in 2024, iPhone 15 and Pixel 8 owners will be able to exchange RCS messages. The same applies to iPhone and Android smartphones that support RCS.
Really, what’s the difference for Apple and Android users? While there are many obvious benefits, there are some unanswered questions regarding RCS support on iPhone.
Why did Apple finally decide to use RCS on the iPhone?
iPhone is set to adopt RCS later this year, so what took it so long to get here? And what differences can we expect?
RCS bridges the gap between Android and Apple
Messages from Android users appear the same on iPhone
One of the most notable benefits of RCS is its ability to provide a consistent messaging experience across different platforms and devices. Unlike other messaging solutions that rely on proprietary protocols, RCS operates as an open standard supported by the GSMA, ensuring interoperability between different networks and devices. This means that messages sent via RCS retain their rich formatting and functionality, regardless of whether they are received on an iPhone, Android device, or other RCS-enabled platform.
Messages sent via RCS retain their rich format and functionality, regardless of whether they are received on an iPhone, Android device, or other RCS-enabled platform.
The inclusion of RCS support is expected to bring several enhancements to communication between iPhone and Android smartphones, including:
- Improved photo and video quality
- Voice message integration
- Display typing indicator
- Visualization of read confirmation
- Ability to use Wi-Fi for messaging
- Sharing location information within a text thread
- We’ve made improvements to group chats, including an option for iPhone users to end conversations with Android users.
These modern features are already accessible within many third-party messaging platforms such as iMessage, WhatsApp, and Telegram. Unlike traditional SMS, RCS works seamlessly over mobile data or Wi-Fi connections.
iMessage isn’t going anywhere
And it definitely won’t be coming to Android
Despite Apple’s adoption of RCS, the company says iMessage will remain unchanged. It remains the primary messaging platform dedicated to communication between iPhone users. RCS, on the other hand, simply replaces SMS and MMS and coexists independently with iMessage when accessible. According to Apple, SMS and MMS will still be accessible as a fallback option if needed.
Apple’s move does not involve opening up iMessage to other platforms
Instead, the company is adopting RCS as a separate initiative from iMessage. This development does not make iMessage available on Android devices. Instead, it brings Android’s equivalent of iMessage to the iPhone platform.
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The bubble war will continue for some time
RCS messages don’t have the same color as iMessage
Apple has been under pressure from various directions to make its products more compatible with other brands. For example, Apple may be adopting his RCS due to increased pressure from the European Union following a ruling within the Digital Markets Act that highlighted the need for messaging apps to interoperate seamlessly. You can
According to recent reports, Apple is planning to appeal to the European Union to include the App Store and iMessage services in its Digital Markets Act. Nevertheless, Apple is proactively addressing potential regulatory challenges with recent announcements.
6 reasons why people who recently switched to iPhone won’t go back to Android
Why I put the green speech bubble to bed and switched to an iPhone. Hint: It wasn’t just about group chat and camera improvements.
The distinction between blue and green bubbles in messaging has also caused some controversy. Every Apple user knows that in iMessage the bubble appears in blue color and in the default his SMS bubble it appears in green color. So when you receive a message from an Android user, it will display a different color. Critics claim that this difference indicates that his Android smartphone is inferior to consumers.
So what color will the RCS message be?
Apple says RCS messages will be green, just like SMS messages, which is surprising since the company is already under scrutiny from the US Department of Justice and the European Union for possible antitrust violations. Fortunately, this could be easily fixed if the courts ruled that all bubbles must follow the same hue.
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RCS needs more security
RCS must employ end-to-end encryption
Apple has always emphasized that iMessage boasts a significantly higher level of security and privacy compared to RCS. iMessage uses end-to-end encryption, and Apple recently strengthened this with the introduction of Advanced Data Protection for Messages on iCloud. In contrast, Apple says the encryption currently employed by RCS does not match the robustness of iMessage’s security measures.
Apple has committed to working with GSMA members to strengthen the RCS protocol, with a particular focus on strengthening RCS message security and encryption standards. Apple has made it clear that it will refrain from implementing its own end-to-end encryption layer on top of RCS. Rather, the company’s efforts are directed toward improving the RCS standard itself.
For comparison, Google’s approach to end-to-end encryption is not inherent in the RCS specification itself, but is integrated within Android’s Messages app. I hope that changes soon.
Google Messages may offer end-to-end encryption with RCS
RCS is known as the next generation of messaging and brings a variety of advanced features to messaging that are not currently available in regular SMS.
More details will likely be revealed at WWDC 2024 on June 10th, when Apple is expected to announce iOS 18. Most likely, RCS will officially come to iPhone this fall. This gave GSMA, Google, and Apple time to make RCS more secure.
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