With the release of iOS 18, Apple is finally bringing Rich Communication Services (RCS) to the iPhone, opening up a new world of messaging features that were previously the exclusive domain of iMessage. If you’ve just updated to iOS 18 (and if you haven’t, it’s rolling out today—check out our guide for the exact timing), you might be wondering how to get RCS up and running. Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered.

What is RCS on iPhone?

RCS, short for Rich Communication Services, is essentially an upgrade to the old SMS/MMS messaging standard. Unlike its predecessor, which is limited in terms of character count and media size, RCS lets you send messages without worrying about these constraints. The protocol is designed to make communication smoother, richer, and more interactive.

With RCS, you can expect:

• Enhanced group chats: Say goodbye to disjointed conversations and hello to more cohesive group interactions.
• Audio messages: Send and receive voice memos just like you would with iMessage.
• Read receipts: Know when your messages are read, not just delivered.
• Typing indicators: See when someone is typing a response.
• High-resolution media sharing: Send high-quality photos and videos without compression.
• Larger attachments: Share files that are bigger than what SMS/MMS would allow.
• Better privacy: Enjoy improved encryption and privacy measures.
• Cross-platform emojis: React to messages with emojis that appear correctly across different devices.
• Location sharing: Share your location directly within the conversation.

How to activate RCS on iPhone?

If you’ve updated to iOS 18 and your carrier supports RCS, enabling it is a breeze. Here’s what you need to do:

1. Tap on the “Settings” icon on your home screen.
2. Scroll down to the bottom of the list and select “Apps.”
3. You can either scroll down or use the search bar to locate the “Messages” app.
4. Tap on “RCS Messaging” and switch on the toggle for RCS Messaging.

And that’s it! You’re now set to enjoy all the perks of RCS on your iPhone.

With iOS 18 now out and many US carriers already on board with RCS, expect to see this feature rolling out globally in the near future. Apple is also looking to collaborate with Google and other key players in the Global System for Mobile Communications Association (GSMA) to enhance RCS further. Future updates might include advanced features like the ability to edit or undo sent messages.

Related /

• Apple announces RCS messaging for iPhone in iOS 18
• iMessage now supports satellite connectivity in iOS 18