RCS messaging on iPhone: New ways to chat with Android friends

Rich Communication Services messaging is new to iPhone, and it makes chatting with Android users much more fun. RCS messaging makes features like read receipts, video and file attachments and named group chats — previously exclusive to iMessage (and some apps) — possible between iPhone and Android.

What RCS features can you take advantage of? Keep reading or watch our video guide.

RCS messaging on iPhone: Everything you need to know

The RCS messaging protocol offers a more secure and dynamic experience than the old SMS and MMS standards (short for Short Message Service and Multimedia Message Service, respectively). RCS messaging is like Apple’s proprietary iMessage system — but for all smartphones, not just iPhones.

iMessage is Apple’s exclusive messaging platform used by the Messages app. iMessage is used any time you’re texting another person with an Apple device, be it an iPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple Watch or Vision Pro. Because it’s Apple’s proprietary service, Apple over the years has added advanced features like stickers, games, end-to-end encryption and more. iMessages are represented by blue bubbles in the Messages app.

And then there’s SMS and MMS which are the older standard texting services developed by mobile carriers. SMS is a way of sending text messages and (low-resolution) pictures between any two phone numbers. It’s a standard feature used by cellphone carriers, so if you’re not texting another iPhone via iMessage, or if you get an automated robo-text, it’s probably SMS.

What is RCS messaging?

RCS is a modern protocol, which meets somewhere in the middle between SMS and iMessage. It offers read receipts, typing indicators, support for higher-quality media and more. Thanks to Apple adding RCS messaging support to the iPhone, green bubble texting just got much better. Unfortunately (for Android users anyway), the green bubbles aren’t going anywhere. The green bubbles will still indicate you’re messaging someone outside the iMessage system. Also, to use RCS, both you and the person you’re texting need to have phones and cellular carriers that support RCS.

RCS messaging on Android

RCS has been a feature of Android phones for a number of years now; implementation of the service snowballed between 2017 and 2023. It’s available in Google Messages, Samsung Messages, +Message and others. Google adds features on top of the standard by end-to-end encrypting texts between two users of Google Messages; RCS messages are not otherwise end-to-end encrypted.

Table of contents: Everything you need to know about RCS messaging on iPhone

1. How to turn on RCS messaging on iPhone
2. RCS messaging with read receipts and typing indicators
3. Send high-resolution images and videos
4. Send files and voice memos
5. Rename a group chat
6. RCS messaging on iPhone over Wi-Fi instead of cellular
7. Text internationally for less
8. Turn off RCS messaging on your iPhone

How to turn on RCS messaging on iPhone

First, you’ll need to make sure you’re running iOS/iPadOS 18 or later. It’s available right now as a free update in Settings > General > Software Update. It’s compatible with the iPhone XS, iPhone XR, iPhone SE (2nd generation) and later. On a Mac, you need to update to macOS Sequoia 15 or later.

Check that RCS is enabled in Settings > Apps > Messages by checking RCS Messaging.

If you don’t see that option, it’s possible your cell carrier doesn’t support it. In Settings > General > About > Carrier, “IMS Status” should say “Voice, SMS & RCS.”

The person you’re texting also needs to meet the same requirements: a compatible cell carrier and a compatible phone. Support among Android devices, software and texting apps will vary. Google Voice, for example, doesn’t support RCS.

RCS messaging with read receipts and typing indicators

RCS messaging includes some of the niceties of iMessage, like read receipts and typing indicators. By default, it matches the read receipt setting you have set for iMessage. In Settings > Apps > Messages, you can enable or disable Send Read Receipts.

You can also customize it per person if, for example, you want it off for everyone except your partner, or you want it on for everyone except your family. In the Messages app, tap on a conversation, tap on the contact’s name at the top and set Send Read Receipts to your preferred setting.

Send high-resolution images and videos

One of the biggest advantages of RCS messaging is that you can send pictures at a much higher resolution. Videos will no longer be compressed to the size of a postage stamp.

Tap and hold on the + button to jump straight into your photo library. Swipe up for a full-size browser. Select as many images or videos as you want and tap Send.

Send files and voice memos

Voice recordings and voice memos can be sent via RCS messaging, too. Tap + and tap Audio. It’ll start recording right away. Tap the Stop button when you’re done. You can play it back, tap × to delete it or hit Send to pass it along.

You can also share files like PDFs, Word documents and spreadsheets. The only limit is a 100 MB attachment size. You can send documents or files from the system share sheet.

Rename a group chat

If you’re in a group conversation and everyone’s numbers support RCS messaging, you’ll be able to give the conversation a group name and photo. Just tap the group name along the top and tap Change Name and Photo. You can type in whatever name you want. For the picture, you can take one with your camera, choose one from your photo library, or pick an emoji. Everyone in the group will be able to see what you set — but they can change it, too.

This feature is popular among those with iMessage, and on other platforms like Snapchat and Facebook Messenger. You can name it after a road trip that’s coming up, set it to an inside joke, or take a more literal approach.

RCS messaging on iPhone over Wi-Fi instead of cellular

One of the best changes behind the scenes is that RCS messaging can work over Wi-Fi, not just cellular. If you’re on a train or taking a flight, you may not have a cell signal, but there might be onboard Wi-Fi. You’ll still be able to text your Android friends with the Wi-Fi alone.

Unfortunately, this does not mean that your Mac can send RCS messages on its own; it still needs to use text message forwarding from your iPhone. That’s because RCS, like SMS, still depends on your eSIM and phone number.

Text internationally for less

RCS messages don’t have the steep international pricing that SMS messages may come with. While unlimited talk, text and data plans are common among the biggest carriers in the United States, many people around the world or with budget phone plans may still pay per text message. RCS messages can reduce your monthly bill.

This is because RCS messages are delivered over Wi-Fi or data via the internet, rather than the cell carrier’s own SMS delivery system.

How to turn off RCS messaging on your iPhone

If, for some reason, you want to turn RCS off, it’s simple. Go back to Settings > Apps > Messages and uncheck RCS Messaging.

More new features in Messages

For more new features in Messages, check out the four other new features in iOS 18 and the other great features in iOS 17.