RCS on the iPhone: Only with iOS 19 useful new features

Apple is planning a whole series of new functions for its RCS support for the upcoming iOS version-and possibly also MacOS. It was already known that with iOS 19, an end-to-end encryption for the Rich Communication Standard is finally in the news app. But it shouldn't stay that way, there are other features that have not yet been implemented.

Previously outdated profile in iOS

For years, Apple had not considered it necessary to support RCS in iOS at all – despite regular “nudging” by Google, which hoped to facilitate communication into android devices. With iOS 18, implementation finally occurred, although Apple did not implement all the possibilities of the standard, including the extremely important encryption, without which the network operator could potentially read as you know from SMS.

IOS 18 otherwise only supports RCS's skills to version 2.4, currently is 2.7 from the summer of 2024. As now reports 9to5mac, it will be the same with iOS 19 The RCS Universal Profile 3.0 Giving – Apple has already confirmed this. However, it is still unclear whether the first version will be available in autumn.

Edit and unconditional – and more

RCS 3.0 offers some “Quality of Life” improvements that can be unlocked the communication location for iMessage and other modern instant messaging technologies. In addition to the end-to-end encryption, there will be four further innovations. This includes in-line replies, i.e. direct answers to messages within the thread, the possibility of recalling sent messages (unconditionally), subsequently editing messages and real tapback support for the answers with any emojis and images (probably also gene mojis).

It is currently assumed that Apple goes directly from RCS 2.4 to RCS 3.0, as this creates the requirements for end-to-end encryption. In addition to iOS, the RCS renovations should “end up in a later software update” in MacOS, Ipados and Watchos. Apple is based on the specifications of the protocol that the organization Gsma managed that sets mobile phone standards. However, one thing should not change: RCS messages on the iPhone stay green.