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I Tried Out RCS Messages Between IPhone And Android: Here's How It Works
After countless ads and several years of Google's pleading, RCS has finally come to Apple's Messages app. Right now, it's only available as part of the second iOS 18 beta, ahead of a full rollout later this fall, but for the brave beta testers, it's really, truly here. So, I did what any good journalist (specifically one using Verizon, AT&T, or T-Mobile because they're the only supported carriers) would do — I fired up an iPhone and texted the most tech-savvy guy I know: my dad. After all, what could go wrong with explaining what I needed him to do while testing RCS on Messages for myself for the first time? Surprisingly, almost nothing.
Two thumbs up
Ryan Haines / Android Authority
Before using my Android-using dad as an RCS guinea pig, I had to do a few things. The first was to let him know that I'd be moving my phone number around — a courtesy since he gets emails from Verizon every time I do so (sorry, Dad).
The second was to opt into Apple's Developer Program, bring an iPhone 14 Plus test unit out of retirement and set it up with the latest iOS 18 beta. Those two steps took about three times as long as the rest of the process (including running my dad through the different ways I needed him to react to messages).
Then, it was time to jump into an RCS-powered future, and by that, I mean flipping a toggle in the Settings app. Seriously, that's all there is to it right now for beta testers on the most recent build.
From there, it was time to send my first RCS text message on an iPhone, so I figured I'd start with an easy one — a dig about Apple finally getting the message. Then, it was time to test a few RCS basics: the ability to react to messages and send read receipts from Android to iOS. I asked my dad to respond to my first message, and he sent back a thumbs up — both to my original message and my request for a reaction. Both reactions popped up smoothly and immediately, a massive improvement over the generic SMS alert on iOS 17 and older, and far closer to what we see from Apple's iMessage service between Apple devices.
I also noticed I didn't have to test read receipts through RCS — they're turned on by default. There also doesn't seem to be a way to turn them off since there's only one toggle for all the RCS settings, so you're either in or out. Personally, I hope Apple adds the ability to toggle read receipts later on, as I don't usually use them, but this is beta software, after all.
I can see clearly now
Ryan Haines / Android Authority
The other main draw of bringing RCS to Messages is the ability to send full-resolution videos and images from Android to iOS, just like you can with iMessage between iPhones. After all, there's nothing worse than having a friend take a great photo of you only for them to send it to you in a low resolution. So, I asked my dad to send a picture and a video clip, and he did so in a way that only a dad could — with a comic about making beer and a video of himself checking the gutters at the house I grew up in.
Once I finished shaking my head, I realized that both had come through just the same as if they'd been sent from another iPhone. The comic was crystal clear, and the video came out much better than the Patterson-Gimlin resolution I often get when he sends me a clip. It's a vast improvement over the SMS and MMS struggles both sides have been used to and a sign that Google was probably right all along.
Images and videos finally go from Android to iOS in the resolution they were intended.
RCS on iPhones also allows you to send stickers from your existing set and GIFs from Apple's #images library, so I sent my dad one of each. Unfortunately, Apple doesn't seem to have ironed out reactions to them just yet, as I got the dreaded "Thumbs up to a GIF" and "Thumbs up to a photo" in response. Interestingly, when I reacted to the video my dad sent, it was a thumbs up on my end but a basic text response on his.
So, the experience isn't perfect just yet. Yes, iOS 18 is still in development, but I ran into another surprising hiccup while receiving video clips from my dad. Although I had no issues opening and starting clips, there was no way to control them once they started playing. The play button disappears almost immediately, and Apple's usual slider across the bottom edge is nowhere to be found. If I wanted to go back and pause at an earlier spot in the clip, I'd have to swipe out of it and start all over again — not a massive problem in a 10-second clip, but plenty annoying for anything much longer.
Yes, green bubbles still exist
Ryan Haines / Android Authority
So, there you go — Apple has completely changed the messaging game by bringing RCS to Messages. We can finally have peace and harmony between Android and iOS, especially as the two mobile platforms inch closer together and share more features than ever before. You can put apps anywhere on your iPhone's Home Screen, change the color of your icons, and react to messages across other platforms. What else is there?
Oh, right, green bubbles still exist, so Android users will probably still face stigma for choosing a Pixel or a Galaxy device over an iPhone. That's alright, though. Now, when you capture a great photo of your friends using a Pixel 8 Pro or capture a video at 50x zoom on a Galaxy S24 Ultra, you can send it to your friends in its original quality!
Now we'll find out if the stigma is really about the green bubble or just poor SMS performance...
Cynicism and snark aside, bringing RCS to Messages feels great. As much as I don't love the automatic read receipts, I enjoyed having my dad respond to my messages without his reaction sending an extra text, and the typing indicator means I know he's actually responding rather than being off doing "dad things." Maybe one day, Android users (as I usually am) will finally stop being judged for having green text bubbles. Until then, this certainly feels like a good start.
But what do you think? Will RCS on iPhone end the bullying against green bubble Android users when it rolls out later this fall? Let us know in the poll below.
Will RCS on iMessage improve Android-iOS relations?2693 votes
Yes, messaging is much better now.
81%
No, it's not about the color of the bubble.
19%
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IOS 18 Developer Beta 2: Your IPhone Could Get These Features Soon
Apple unveiled iOS 18 at its Worldwide Developers Conference 2024 keynote event on June, and the tech giant released the second developer beta of the software on Monday. The tech giant said at WWDC that the next iPhone operating system will include a lot of new features, like more ways to customize your home screen, updates to the Messages app and an updated Siri with Apple Intelligence. Apple said online that the next operating system will be available to the general public this fall.
Read more: Apple's WWDC Presentation Changed My Mind About iOS 18
While many people won't get iOS 18 until this year, developers can download the second iOS 18 developer beta now. We recommend downloading a beta only on something other than your primary device. Since this isn't the final version of iOS 18, these features might be buggy and battery life may be short, and it's best to keep those troubles on a secondary device.
Watch this: iOS 18 Brings New Tapback Features and Text Over Satellite
05:38Here's what we know about all the new features and improvements iOS 18 could bring to your iPhone this fall.
Customizable home and lock screens Apple/Screenshot by CNETWhile you've been able to customize your iPhone's home and lock screens with widgets and different backgrounds, iOS 18 will let you customize your home screen's apps and their layout, as well as your phone's lock screen functions.
During WWDC, Craig Federighi, Apple's senior vice president of software engineering, showed how iOS 18 lets you arrange your iPhone's apps and widgets on your home screen however you want. Previously, these icons would fill your home screen from top to bottom, sometimes obstructing backgrounds you might like. But iOS 18 should let you arrange your icons around your background, or in any way you want -- something Android has offered for many years.
You can also easily customize the appearance of your app's icons. You can give your icons a dark mode filter, or tint your icons to match your wallpaper.
Federighi also said iOS 18 will let you swap out the camera and flashlight functions on your iPhone's lock screen. That way you aren't accidentally turning on your iPhone's flashlight on while putting it in your pocket -- but you might open another app instead.
Updated Control CenterApple also announced that iOS 18 updates your iPhone's Control Center. With the next operating system, you'll be able to access more controls for things, like whatever music you're listening to and specific apps. You can also change which apps you see, as well as their size, so you have quicker access to the buttons you use more often.
Apple/Screenshot by CNETMessages gets an upgradeYour iPhone's Messages app will also get an update with iOS 18. With the next operating system, you'll be able to schedule messages to send later, react to messages with more Tapbacks, and format messages and specific words in your messages with text effects. So if you want to emphasize something in a text, you can bold it, underline or use other effects to get your point across.
The next OS will also bring Messages via satellite to many iPhones. The feature works similar to Apple's Emergency SOS via satellite feature introduced on the iPhone 14 and 15 series. But while Emergency SOS is for making an emergency call even if you don't have a signal, Messages via satellite will let you send a message to anyone, even without a signal. So you'll be able to message your spouse or parents to let them know how your camping trip is going.
Apple also briefly mentioned it is bringing RCS -- rich communication support -- to Messages.
Apple/Screenshot by CNETRead more: Messages via Satellite is iOS 18's Most Underrated Feature
Lock and hide certain appsLetting someone borrow your iPhone can be a nerve-wracking experience, especially if you don't want them to see or access certain apps. But iOS 18 will allow you to lock and hide apps.
If you lock an app, it will then require your Face ID or passcode to unlock and access it. And if you just don't want someone to know you have a certain app on your iPhone, you can stash it in a Hidden apps folder in your App Library. This is similar to removing apps from your home screen without deleting them from your iPhone, but it arranges all your hidden apps in one place.
Redesigned Photos appIt can be fun to look at memories in your Photos app, but navigating through the app can be challenging if you take a lot of photos. So Apple announced iOS 18 will redesign your iPhone's Photos app.
The redesign should make it easier to find specific photos by organizing your photos in more ways, like month and year. Photos will also be organized by theme, so if you're looking for photos from a trip, you should be able to find them faster.
The updated Photos app in iOS 18 will also let you filter out receipts and screenshots so they don't clog up your Library.
Read more: Apple Photos Redesign Will Help You Find That Specific iPhone Image
New password manager appApple is turning its password keychain feature into a full-blown app, called Passwords. According to Apple, Passwords safely stores all your credentials in one place. It can also sync your passwords across your Apple devices. That way if you change your Netflix password on one device but not on another, the password will follow you so you don't forget it.
Read more: Apple's New Password Manager App Will Sync Across Devices and Platforms
Apple Intelligence for Siri and more -- on certain iPhones CNETApple announced that it's rolling out Apple Intelligence, its spin on generative AI, in iOS 18. But on Apple's website, the tech giant said these improvements will be available only on the iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max for now.
Apple Intelligence will bring improvements to Siri to make the assistant more capable and helpful, it will allow you to create new images called Genmojis and it will bring new writing tools and capabilities to those iPhones.
Read more: iOS 18 Might Not Bring Apple Intelligence to Your iPhone
AirPods and hands-free Siri interactionsWith iOS 18, if you're wearing the second generation of AirPods Pro, you'll be able to interact with Siri by nodding or shaking your head. So if you need to be quiet because the baby is sleeping, or your partner is on an important phone call, you can keep Siri working without saying a word.
Watch this: You'll Soon Be Able to Control AirPods by Nodding
01:51 New Gestures Will Enhance the Way You Interact with Apple Devices See all photos Notes app upgrades AppleApple's iOS 18 will improve your Notes app. Notes will get live audio transcripts, collapsible sections to keep the app organized and the ability to highlight certain phrases. You'll also be able to solve mathematical problems in the app while you type.
These upgrades are similar to the Notes app upgrades Apple announced for iPadOS 18.
Read more: Apple's iPadOS 18 Gets New Controls, Handwriting Features and Math Notes
Game ModeAccording to Facts and Factors, mobile gaming as an industry is expected to grow by over 13% by 2030. And Apple seems to recognize that with the introduction of Game Mode in iOS 18.
Game Mode will minimize background activities on your iPhone to improve your game's performance. It will also have improved responsiveness with AirPods and wireless gaming controllers, Apple says.
iPhone Mirroring AppleWith iOS 18, iPhone users with a Mac will be able to access their iPhone remotely from their Mac. Apple is calling this feature iPhone Mirroring, and it will work in conjunction with the upcoming MacOS Sequoia. So instead of sending a file from your iPhone to your Mac, you'll be able to just access the file right on your Mac without any extra steps in between.
Read more: How Apple Says iPhone Mirroring Will Work
SharePlay screen sharingSharePlay was introduced with iOS 15 in 2021 and lets Apple users share their screen with other people via FaceTime. And iOS 18 is giving SharePlay an upgrade.
"With enhanced screen sharing capabilities, you can draw on someone's screen so they can see what they can do on theirs, or control their screen and take actions yourself," Apple wrote online.
More ways to organize MailApple said that with iOS 18, your iPhone's Mail app will organize your emails better. Your app will have new categories for things like receipts, newsletters and more. That way you don't have to dig through your emails and find an invitation to a party you forgot to respond to.
Tap to CashWith iOS 18, it will be easier to send cash to your friends and family with Tap to Cash. With this new feature, you can send Apple Cash directly to others by bringing your iPhones close together, similar to how you can quickly AirDrop a photo or message to someone, or NameDrop your contact information to others, by bringing your iPhones close together.
Improvements coming to Apple WalletSpeaking of cash, your Wallet app is getting an upgrade in iOS 18, too. In the app, you'll be able to view your rewards or points balance, and you'll be able to redeem those points with Apple Pay online or in one of your apps. The app will also let you access any installment financing options your bank might offer.
Apple is also bringing new features to your event tickets in Wallet. Apple wrote online that the new features includes, "an event guide combining helpful information about the venue with recommendations from Apple apps."
Safari gets highlights and a redesigned ReaderWith iOS 18, your iPhone's Safari app will detect important information on a page and highlight it for you. For example, directions and quick links to people and movies should be highlighted and easily findable.
Reader will also provide a table of contents and summaries of articles in Safari.
Topographic maps in MapsWhen Apple introduced iOS 17 in 2023, it brought offline maps to your iPhones Maps app. With iOS 18, Apple said your iPhone's Maps app will get topographical information, too. Maps will also get detailed hiking trail information, including routes from over 50 US national parks, so you can plan your next hike.
Journal app improvementsApple also announced that iOS 18 will bring some changes to your iPhone's Journal app. Once upgraded, the app will let you log your state of mind, as well as help you track your goals. It will also give you certain stats, like writing streaks. You'll also be able to search within Journal for previous entries so you can find older thoughts and more.
Watch this: iOS 18: My 5 Favorite Features
04:24Those are a few of the new features some developers will see in the second iOS 18 beta. That doesn't mean these are the only features coming to the next iOS update, or that these changes will stick when iOS 18 is released to the public. As of now, Apple has only said iOS 18 will release this fall.
For more on Apple, check out everything Apple announced at WWDC 2024, how to download the iOS 18 developer beta now and why you might not want to install it just yet.
Rumor: IOS 18 Will Finally Let You React To IMessages With Any Emoji
iOS 18 will introduce at least two changes to the Tapback feature in the Messages app on the iPhone, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman.
Introduced with iOS 10, Tapback icons are the heart, thumbs up, thumbs down, "HA HA" symbol, exclamation marks, and question mark that can be added to messages. In a report outlining his WWDC expectations, Gurman said these icons will look more colorful on iOS 18, whereas they currently have very basic designs.More significantly, he said the Tapback system will work with any emoji starting on iOS 18, providing users with hundreds of new options to choose from. This means the Messages app would finally support in-line emoji reactions, a feature that other messaging apps like WhatsApp, Messenger, and Telegram have offered for a long time. Currently, the Messages app only allows emoji to be added to messages as stickers.
It is unclear if the revamped Tapback system will also work with the AI-generated emoji feature previously reported to be coming with iOS 18.
Another much-requested feature coming to the Messages app with iOS 18 is the ability to schedule a message to be sent later, according to Gurman.
Apple will unveil iOS 18 and other major software updates for its platforms during its WWDC keynote, which will be live streamed via the Apple Events website, YouTube, Apple TV app, and Apple Developer app on June 10 starting at 10 a.M. Pacific Time. The new Messages features would extend to the iPad and Mac.
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