Apple has announced that it plans to support the RCS (Rich Communication Services) messaging standard, aiming to launch it via a software update “later next year.” This was confirmed by 9to5 Mac. This move is driven by various factors, including pressure from regulators and competitors like Google and Samsung, as well as the maturation of RCS as a messaging platform.
RCS will bring iMessage-style features to cross-platform messaging between iPhone and Android users. These features include read receipts, typing indicators, high-quality images and videos, location sharing, and more. Unlike traditional SMS, RCS can work over mobile data or Wi-Fi.
So no more green bubbles? Not quite. iMessage is not going away; it will remain the primary messaging platform for communication between iPhone users. RCS will replace SMS and MMS and will exist separately from iMessage when available, with SMS and MMS continuing to be available as fallback options when needed.
Apple emphasizes that iMessage is more secure and privacy-friendly than RCS, with end-to-end encryption and Advanced Data Protection for Messages in iCloud. RCS does not currently offer encryption as strong as iMessage.
This decision to adopt RCS follows years of pressure from competitors like Samsung and Google. Apple had previously resisted this pressure but improved the SMS experience between iPhone and Android users with features like Tapbacks, threaded replies, and message editing.
Apple also commits to working with the GSMA members to enhance the RCS protocol, particularly focusing on improving security and encryption without adding proprietary end-to-end encryption on top of RCS.
This move by Apple is seen as a response to potential regulatory pressure, including the Digital Markets Act in the European Union, which could have required Apple to open up iMessage. Apple is getting ahead of potential regulatory issues by adopting RCS.
In summary, Apple’s decision to support RCS aims to improve cross-platform messaging between iPhone and Android users while retaining the security and privacy advantages of iMessage. It reflects a response to regulatory and competitive pressures and aims to provide a better messaging experience for users.
