In December, Apple introduced that RCS is lastly coming to iOS, however left a attainable launch date obscure, stating assist could be added “later subsequent 12 months.” In a latest touchdown web page for Google Messages — which has since been eliminated — Google revealed that “Apple has introduced it will likely be adopting RCS within the fall of 2024,” giving iPhone customers a extra concrete timeline to stay up for (through 9to5Google).
Most individuals assumed that Apple would launch RCS assist with iOS 18 fairly than an iOS 17 replace later within the 12 months, however this ‘fall of 2024’ info mainly confirms it will be an iOS 18 function. RCS assist will possible be added as a function for the primary iOS 18 launch, but it surely’s attainable that it might launch in October or November as an replace function and nonetheless meet the ‘fall of 2024’ deadline.
Regardless, assist for the RCS textual content protocol is “Coming quickly on iOS,” and Google says “it’s going to imply a greater messaging expertise for everybody.
Why is RCS assist vital for iOS?
The obvious purpose it is a huge deal that Apple’s lastly adopting the RCS messaging commonplace is the flexibility to lastly ship movies between iPhones and Android telephones with out them being closely compressed. No extra ‘purchase your mother an iPhone’ jokes when speaking concerning the pixelated, distorted movies despatched between iMessage and Android messaging platforms.
On high of sending cross-platform high-res images and movies, RCS assist will even deliver typing indicators, learn receipts, and higher group chat options. Google additionally notes that animated emojis and reactions are “Coming quickly with RCS.”
Many Android messaging apps can show emoji reactions from iPhone customers, however cannot reciprocate the motion. Google Messages rolled out the same iMessage-like emoji response function, but it surely’s solely attainable between Google Messages customers.
If animated emoji reactions develop into part of the RCS specification — which appears to be what Google is implying — Android telephones and iPhones may lastly be capable to concurrently work together with messages through emojis and see the identical factor displayed on-screen.
Google has clearly wished Apple so as to add RCS assist for years, so the corporate might be excited to start out executing much more RCS-related options they’ve deliberate simply in case. RCS assist will not eliminate the inexperienced message bubbles for Android customers, however that is undoubtedly a step in the correct path.