Apple released iOS 18.2 on December 11, more than a month after the tech giant’s release iOS 18.1 in October. The latest update brought many Apple Intelligence features, like Genmoji And Picture Playgroundon some iPhones. But when Apple released iOS 18 In September, this update introduced support for Rich Communication Services in Messages on your iPhone.
With RCS Messaging, you can enjoy features like typing indicators and “Delivered” status message while sending messages to Android users. This also helps ensure high-quality videos and images are sent when texting between iPhone and Android devices. And with the iOS 18.1 update, Apple introduced RCS business messaging to iPhones, meaning you’ll be able to chat with some businesses in Messages rather than a buggy web page.
However, RCS on iPhone does not provide end-to-end encryption between iPhones and Android. The GSM Association, which develops the RCS standard, said in September that it was working to enable end-to-end encryption between these devices.
Learn more: Everything you need to know about iOS 18
Here’s how to check if your carrier supports RCS and how to make sure it’s enabled on your iPhone.
Does my carrier support RCS messaging?
Most carriers support RCS, but not all. For example, Verizon, AT&T And T-Mobile all support RCS on iPhones running iOS 18. If your iPhone is running iOS 18.2, here is all US carriers that support RCS on iPhone.
- AT&T
- Boost your mobile
- C Spire
- Consumer Cellular
- Cricket
- PremierNet
- H20 wireless
- Subway by T-Mobile
- PureTalk
- Red pocket
- Mobile spectrum
- T-Mobile
- TracFone / Speak frankly
- American cell phone
- Verizon
- Visible
- Xfinity Mobile
If you live outside the United States, here’s how to check on your iPhone to see if your carrier supports RCS messaging on your device.
1. Open Settings on your iPhone.
2. Faucet General.
3. Faucet About.
4. Faucet Carrier.
When you press Carrierit will change to IMS Status and display email support details on the right. For example, if your carrier supports RCS, you will see Voice, SMS and RCS. If your carrier does not support RCS, you will see Voice and SMS.
If your carrier doesn’t support RCS messaging, fear not, Apple is reportedly expanding support to more carriers in the future.
How to enable or disable RCS on your iPhone
Apple finally brings RCS to iPhones with iOS 18.
If your carrier supports RCS, here’s how to make sure it works on your iPhone.
1. Open Settings.
2. Faucet Applications towards the bottom of the menu.
3. Faucet Messages.
4. Press RCS Messaging below Text messaging.
4. Tap the button next to RCS messaging.
Now messaging on Android devices will look more like messaging on another iPhone, but you’ll still see those green bubbles. And if you want to disable RCS, follow the above steps again.
Learn more: iPhone 16 Pro’s high-res slow-motion video is Apple’s best feature in years
Why is RCS not working on my iPhone?
If you have updated your iPhone to iOS 18.2, your carrier supports RCS, and you have enabled it on your iPhone, but RCS is not working for you, you may need to restart your iPhone.
Is it safe to send messages to Android devices?
Yes, but you must use an end-to-end encrypted messaging app, like Signal or WhatsApp. RCS on iPhone is not end-to-end encrypted, and the FBI and the US Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency advise iPhone and Android users not to send each other messages due to a cyber attack. Officials say the cyberattack targets telecommunications companies, including AT&T, Verizon and Lumen Technologies. The attack could have compromised private text messages, phone conversations and call metadata on mobile devices.
Learn more: What you need to know about the ongoing mobile messaging cyberattack
To learn more about iOS 18, here’s what you need to know iOS 18.2 And iOS 18.1 and our iOS 18 Cheat Sheet. You can also check what might happen on your iPhone with iOS 18.3.
Watch this: Tips for creating in Apple’s Image Playground and Genmoji
