In 2024, Apple will support RCS (Rich Communication Services) as reported 9To5Mac, bringing a shift in cross-platform texting between iPhones and Androids. The new feature will incorporate iMessage-exclusive features such as read receipts, typing indicators, and better photo and video quality, giving users a more seamless experience.
RCS will function over both cellular data and Wi-Fi, an improvement from SMS and MMS which only operate using cellular data. This change is expected to significantly enhance the texting experience across devices.
It’s worth noting that iMessage is not going away any time soon. Apple confirmed that iMessage will still be operational for Apple-to-Apple messaging. Additionally, RCS will support encryption, though Apple has assured that iMessage’s encryption will remain the most secure.
This move Apple marks a reversal from remarks made CEO Tim Cook in 2022, when he mentioned that he didn’t receive many requests to enhance cross-platform texting. Google, on the other hand, has been vocal about improving texting between iPhones and Androids. In fact, Google publicly called on Apple to support RCS to modernize cross-platform texting, as part of their #GetTheMessage campaign.
This issue gained further attention at the Google I/O 2023 Keynote, where Google executive Sameer Samat advocated for every mobile platform to adopt RCS, receiving enthusiastic support from the audience. This escalation of the messaging war is shaping up to be an intriguing development in the tech industry.
As excitement mounts over these changes, Apple has yet to respond to requests for clarification or additional details. These developments make the coming years an exciting time for mobile technology, paving the way for a more seamless experience for users across different devices.