Apple has confirmed that it will be adding RCS messaging standard support to the iPhone through a software release early next year. The company stated that RCS, or Rich Communication Services, is designed to enhance messaging communication across mobile devices. This standard was developed by the GSM Association and largely adopted by the Android ecosystem. Apple has previously resisted adding RCS support to iPhones, but is now changing its position and committing to supporting RCS Universal Profile, as currently published by the GSM Association.
An Apple spokesperson emphasized that RCS support will complement iMessage, which will remain the best and most secure messaging experience for Apple users. The addition of RCS support means iPhone users will be able to communicate more effectively with Android users, eliminating the “green bubble shame” associated with previous messaging limitations. Group messaging is expected to become platform agnostic, and users will be able to share high-resolution photos, videos, and location information through RCS-supported messaging.
It should be noted, however, that the RCS standard lacks end-to-end encryption, a feature that Apple has prioritized for over a decade. Apple hopes to work with the GSM Association to add encryption to the standard in the future. While the timing and compatibility details of the iOS update integrating RCS support remain unclear, the move is seen as a significant development after Apple’s competitors, Samsung and Google, introduced support for the standard.
Observers have noted that this shift by Apple could be due to pressure from the European Union, which has been pushing the tech giant to align with multiple standards. With the success of implementing USB-C ports across iPhone 15 models in response to EU regulations, it is likely that the company will have also felt compelled to adopt RCS to avoid additional regulatory scrutiny.
This decision marks a significant breakthrough and reflects a larger trend towards modern and secure communication standards in the mobile industry. No details have been provided on whether Apple’s support for RCS will introduce a third message bubble color, but it is a milestone in ensuring equitable and secure messaging functionality for all users.
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