Before iOS 26 Arrives, Here's What to Know About RCS Messaging on Your iPhone
Apple announced at its Worldwide Developers Conference on June 9 that the next version of the iPhone's operating system will be called iOS 26, not iOS 19. The tech giant also announced that iOS 26 will bring a transparent glass design to iPhone icons and menus, the Camera and Photos apps will get redesigned interfaces and much more. But when Apple released iOS 18 in September 2024, that update introduced the messaging protocol Rich Communication Services to all iPhones.
CNET
With RCS messaging, you can enjoy features like typing indicators and the "Delivered" status message while messaging Android users. It also helps ensure high-quality videos and pictures are sent when texting between iPhone and Android devices. Then, with iOS 18.1, Apple brought RCS Business Messaging to iPhones, which means you'll be able to chat with some businesses in Messages rather than a buggy web page.
However, RCS on iPhone doesn't provide end-to-end encryption between iPhones and Android yet. The GSM Association, which develops the RCS standard, said in September that it's working to enable end-to-end encryption between these devices.
Read 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, AT&T, T-Mobile and Verizon support RCS on iPhones running iOS 18. If your iPhone is running iOS 18.5, here are all the US carriers that support RCS on iPhone.
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 live outside of the US, here's how to check on your iPhone for whether your carrier supports RCS messaging on your device.
1. Open Settings on your iPhone.
2. Tap General.
3. Tap About.
4. Tap Carrier.
When you tap Carrier, it will change to IMS Status and show messaging support details to the right. For example, if your carrier supports RCS, you'll see Voice, SMS & RCS. If your carrier doesn't support RCS, you'll see Voice & SMS.
If your carrier doesn't support RCS Messaging, have no fear, as Apple is reportedly expanding support to more carriers in the future.
Now Playing: How to Enable RCS on iPhone
03:09
How to enable or disable RCS on your iPhone
Apple finally brought RCS to iPhones with iOS 18.
Apple/CNET
If your carrier supports RCS, here's how to make sure it's working on your iPhone.
1. Open Settings.
2. Tap Apps near the bottom of the menu.
3. Tap Messages.
4. Tap RCS Messaging under Text Messaging.
4. Tap the toggle next to RCS Messaging.
Now messaging Android devices will feel more like messaging another iPhone -- but you'll still see those green bubbles. And if you want to disable RCS, follow the above steps again.
Read more: The iPhone 16 Pro's High-Res Slow-Motion Video Is the Best Apple Feature in Years
Why won't RCS work on my iPhone?
If you updated your iPhone to iOS 18.5, your carrier supports RCS and you enabled it on your iPhone, but RCS isn't working for you, you might need to restart your iPhone.
Is it safe to message Android devices?
Yes but you should use an end-to-end encrypted messaging app, like Signal. RCS on iPhone is not end-to-end encrypted and the FBI and US Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency are advising iPhone and Android users not to message each other because of a cyberattack. According to officials, the cyberattack is targeting telecom companies, including AT&T, Verizon and Lumen Technologies. The attack might have compromised private texts, phone conversations and call metadata on mobile devices.
The GSMA, a nonprofit that develops the Rich Communication Services standard, announced in March that it's adding interoperable encryption to RCS messaging, allowing for end-to-end encryption between different providers. Apple and Google collaborated on the protocol and according to The Verge, both companies will implement it.
"We will add support for end-to-end encrypted RCS messages to iOS, iPadOS, macOS, and watchOS in future software updates," an Apple spokesperson told The Verge. It's unclear when that update will be available.
Read more: What to Know About the Ongoing Mobile Messaging Cyberattack
For more on iOS 18, here's what you need to know about iOS 18.5 and iOS 18.4. You can also check out our iOS 18 cheat sheet and everything to know about iOS 26.
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