Expected Features of Texting with Android Users on iOS 18
During Apple's WWDC 2024 keynote, they unveiled numerous new features for iOS, including transformations to Messages and a highly customizable Home Screen. However, one announcement lacked fanfare from Apple: RCS support.
Although Apple had hinted they would bring RCS support to iOS in 2023, they hadn't provided specific timetables. However, now it appears iOS 18 will be where Apple officially adopts the messaging protocol.
Introducing RCS on iOS opens several doors. Most notably, texting with Android users will be much smoother. Right now, SMS is outdated and lacks many standard features. Features such as high-resolution photo and video sharing, functional group chats, and typing indicators are absent. Instead, you're left with low-quality images, broken group chats, and unencrypted messaging - along with those pesky green bubbles.
Apple took its sweet time to adopt RCS, mainly due to the economic benefits of making messaging non-iPhone users a subpar experience. But government crackdowns on anti-competitive practices have forced Apple's hand, and RCS is making its way to iOS with iOS 18.
When it comes to green bubbles, Apple opted to keep their iconic design. They showcased an RCS message in their iOS 18 features list, and it somewhat looks like a typical iPhone-to-Android chat:
Credit: Apple
This RCS chat in iOS 18 does seem like a typical iPhone-to-Android chat at first glance. You can see the image of the plants clearly, an Android user sent a voice memo, and the "Text Message • RCS" label is evident.
Apple chose to keep green bubbles despite implementing RCS. They want users to know they're not messaging an iPhone user, even if they can no longer make the experience terrible. It's uncertain whether the "green bubble stigma" will disappear: Will iPhone users judge Android users less now that texting them isn't a headache? Or will the green bubble remain as a symbol of a frustrating text exchange?
Furthermore, will RCS support persuade some iPhone users to switch to Android, knowing their iPhone friends won't have to deal with SMS anymore? That's Apple's worst fear, and perhaps the reason they're promoting this feature so quietly.
Keep up to date with Aussiedlerbote's coverage of WWDC 2024 for more updates.
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In the upcoming iOS 18, Apple is expected to introduce RCS support, improving communication with Android users significantly. This technological advancement in messaging will eliminate the issues currently present with SMS, such as low-resolution image sharing and broken group chats.
The integration of RCS on iOS devices will undeniably contribute to the tech industry, as it makes messaging between different operating systems more seamless.
