Apple confirms RCS support is coming to iPhone next year

A big twist is here! After denying it several times in the past, Apple will now enable RCS support on the iPhone in 2024, confirmed Apple.

As per 9to5mac, the company says it will enable better interoperability between iOS and Android. Apple will also allow users to send their location, added 9to5mac.

Apple hasn’t specifically confirmed when RCS support will come on iOS, only said it will come later next year, most likely with iOS 18.

Later next year, we will be adding support for RCS Universal Profile, the standard as currently published by the GSM Association. We believe RCS Universal Profile will offer a better interoperability experience when compared to SMS or MMS. This will work alongside iMessage, which will continue to be the best and most secure messaging experience for Apple users.

Apple is also working with the GSMA to improve the RCS standard. Apple is not likely to open up iMessage to other platforms.

Google has been publicly teasing Apple about the lack of RCS support in the past. RCS gives a more secure experience than SMS, it should also allow chats between iOS and Android.