Apple recently rolled out the fifth public beta of iOS 26 on August 25, introducing an exciting Liquid Glass design, call screening, and a slew of enhancements for iPhone developers and beta testers. However, the game-changer comes with iOS 18, released in 2024, which brought the much-anticipated Rich Communication Services (RCS) to all iPhones.
With RCS, iPhone users can now enjoy features like typing indicators and “Delivered” status messages, even when messaging Android users. This improvement also ensures that videos and photos are sent in high quality between iPhone and Android devices. Then, with iOS 18.1, Apple expanded this experience with RCS Business Messaging, allowing chats with certain businesses directly through the Messages app—eliminating the need to navigate clunky web pages.
It’s worth noting that RCS on iPhone currently lacks end-to-end encryption for communications between iPhone and Android devices. As the GSM Association works on enabling this crucial feature, rumors about an imminent rollout of end-to-end encryption with iOS 26 suggest that we might see this enhancement in just a few weeks.
Does my carrier support RCS messaging?
RCS messaging isn’t universally supported by all carriers, but major players like AT&T, T-Mobile, and Verizon have integrated it for iPhones running iOS 18. If your device is on iOS 18.6.2, here’s a list of U.S. carriers that support RCS:
- AT&T
- C Spire
- Consumer Cellular
- Cricket
- Family Mobile
- FirstNet
- H20 Wireless
- Metro by T-Mobile
- PureTalk
- RedPocket Mobile
- Spectrum Mobile
- T-Mobile
- TracFone / Straight Talk
- Ultra Mobile
- US Cellular
- Verizon
- Visible
- Xfinity Mobile
If you’re outside the U.S., here’s how to check if your carrier supports RCS on your iPhone:
1. Open Settings on your iPhone.
2. Tap General.
3. Tap About.
4. Tap Carrier.
You’ll see “IMS Status” change, revealing messaging support details. If your carrier supports RCS, it will indicate Voice, SMS & RCS. If not, it will read Voice & SMS. If your carrier doesn’t support RCS, don’t worry; Apple plans to expand support to more carriers soon.
How to enable or disable RCS on your iPhone
If your carrier does support RCS, here’s how to ensure it’s enabled:
1. Open Settings.
2. Tap Apps at the bottom of the menu.
3. Tap Messages.
4. Select RCS Messaging under Text Messaging.
5. Toggle the switch next to RCS Messaging.
Now, messaging Android devices should feel almost like texting another iPhone—though you may still see those green bubbles. To disable RCS, just follow the steps again.
Why won’t RCS work on my iPhone?
If you’ve updated to iOS 18.6.2, confirmed your carrier supports RCS, and enabled it but still face issues, a restart of your iPhone might resolve the problem.
Is it safe to message Android devices?
While you can message Android devices, it’s considered safer to use an end-to-end encrypted app like Signal, especially since RCS on iPhone doesn’t offer this encryption yet. Recent advisories from the FBI and U.S. Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency caution against messaging between iPhone and Android due to a targeted cyberattack affecting telecom companies, which could compromise private texts and calls.
The GSMA has announced plans to enhance RCS with interoperable encryption, allowing for end-to-end communication across different platforms. An Apple spokesperson confirmed to The Verge that future updates for iOS, iPadOS, macOS, and watchOS will integrate support for encrypted RCS messages.
Excitingly, recent code in the iOS 26 beta hints at the likelihood of implementing end-to-end encryption in Messages, anticipated with the public release this fall. Keeping an eye on these developments will be crucial for users wanting a secure and improved messaging experience.