With iOS 18, Apple introduced support for RCS messaging, a new protocol that improves the texting experience between iPhone and Android users. Unlike SMS, you can see read/delivery receipts, send larger files, and have typing indicators, features that were previously missing. Initially, only the big three carriers supported RCS messaging. Since then, many more people have joined the party.
This list is based on information directly from Appleand will be updated as new operators are added.
Supported operators:
- AT&T
- Boost Mobile (requires iOS 18.2)
- 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
That’s obviously a lot more than what we had at launch, which was mostly just AT&T, Verizon, and T-Mobile. There is a lot more support from MVNOs (mobile virtual network operators, i.e. small operators) – but it is not yet very comprehensive.
Some notable exceptions to the list are Mint Mobile and Ultra Mobile, which have around 3 million subscribers in the United States.
Mint Mobile and Ultra Mobile are particularly interesting because they were both acquired by T-Mobile earlier this year, but apparently T-Mobile hasn’t yet supported this feature on its new sub-brands.
Have you already used RCS messaging with iOS 18? What do you think? Let us know in the comments below.
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