Google thought Apple adopting RCS would fix everything, but the messaging protocol is still a distant second to iMessage thanks to a lack of carrier support, device support, and encryption.
Google thought Apple adopting RCS would fix everything, but the messaging protocol is still a distant second to iMessage thanks to a lack of carrier support, device support, and encryption.
When iOS 18 launched, some iPhone users saw a tiny change in the Messages app — an RCS tag in text chats with supported Android users. However, the list of people able to take advantage of this better system is as convoluted as Android’s fragmentation problem.
According to a list provided by Foxt Dev, RCS support is limited to a few popular carriers in the United States, Canada, Spain, the United Kingdom, Germany, Belgium, and France, but outside of that, RCS support doesn’t exist. The RCS version being used is the one set by the GSMA, not Google, so end-to-end encryption isn’t enabled either.
What RCS does get you is improved photo and video sharing, typing indicators, and basic reactions. Apple, Google, and the GSMA are working towards encrypted messages with RCS, but it may take some time.
