Apple’s iOS 18 is shaping as much as be one of the crucial vital upgrades within the software program’s historical past. Between all of the AI features and tweaked UI to the broad customization choices, it is nearly like Apple is revamping the iOS expertise as we all know it, which can shake issues up for iPhone owners for years to return.
Additionally: iOS 18 beta now lets you send RCS messages to Android users
However by far, among the best options of iOS 18 has nothing to do with the most recent improvements out of Cupertino. In truth, it has roots in one other a part of California: Mountain View. RCS.
A couple of years in the past, a brand new textual content messaging normal known as Wealthy Communications Service, or RCS, was launched by Google. It is designed to switch SMS messaging, which has been round because the Nineteen Nineties. RCS helps an enormous array of recent messaging options like larger high quality photographs and movies, learn receipts, clearer audio messages, and extra, making it really feel extra like a messaging service like Telegram or iMessage.
It took some time for the brand new normal to roll out, however it will definitely reached each Android phone that makes use of the Google Messages app because of broad provider assist.
Regardless of the function being out there on Android telephones for a variety of years, Apple has refused to deliver it to the iPhone. The corporate has relied on an inferior expertise to remind customers that speaking to different iPhone customers with iMessage is best than speaking to Android customers over SMS. Naturally, it is induced an important degree of frustration not simply among the many tech-savvy begging for high-quality video sharing between platforms but additionally amongst customers who merely need a greater messaging expertise.
Additionally: You’ll soon be able to text 911 via RCS on your Android phone. Here’s how it works
Thankfully, we’re getting simply that. Shortly earlier than Apple was pressured to bring RCS to the iPhone by way of European regulators, the corporate introduced the expertise would trickle onto its units in a while in 2024. Now, we’ve affirmation that the function will formally arrive as part of iOS 18.
Apple did not spend a number of time speaking about it onstage throughout WWDC earlier this month. In truth, Craig Federighi talked about it for about two seconds towards the tip of his iOS 18 demo. They did not point out all the capabilities it will deliver to iPhones, nor the advantages of it in comparison with SMS, which alerts the corporate would not wish to make it a pinnacle new function of the iOS expertise.
Regardless of Apple’s efforts to attenuate it, RCS will enhance the time you spend texting your Android pals with richer media assist, learn receipts, and extra.
Additionally: Everything to know about Apple’s AI features coming to iPhones, Macs, and iPads
Sadly, we do not know every part that RCS will allow in your iPhone. On Android, you are able to do issues like share recordsdata, ship messages over Wi-Fi, and even see typing indicators. In iOS 18, we solely have affirmation for a couple of options because of a function card on Apple’s website: learn receipts, (presumably) higher-quality photographs, and audio messages. The textual content subject will point out whenever you’re messaging with RCS, and your entire bubbles will stay inexperienced.
Regardless that we do not know every part about RCS on the iPhone, it is my most anticipated function of iOS 18 by a mile. Sure, the Apple Intelligence stuff appears cool, and I dig all of the customization Apple is including to the house display screen. However my greatest drawback with utilizing my iPhone day by day is sending messages to Android customers over SMS, which is oftentimes extremely sluggish and unreliable with spottier connections.
Additionally: Apple’s iOS 18 will let you record phone calls without a third-party app
There have been a variety of instances I’ve tried texting my brother — who has a Pixel 7 Professional — one thing pressing, solely to search out out he by no means obtained my message for some motive or one other. Attempt to ship a photograph over SMS, and you will be praying that it goes by way of efficiently. And you may overlook about video sharing; I simply resort to Telegram for that.
I notice I might use third-party messaging apps to resolve this drawback. In any case, that is what I’ve carried out with video sharing. However I prefer to have all my message threads in the identical place, and I might desire that place to be the identical app the place I’ve all my iMessages. With RCS, I will lastly have the ability to try this, even when it would not get all the options that the expertise is able to.