Google hints that Apple will provide RCS support for iPhone this fall

Apple announced last year that it would support Rich Communication Services (RCS) in iMessage sometime in 2024. While the iPhone maker has remained mum on the exact launch date, Google has just revealed the release schedule for RCS on iOS via its new Google Messages webpage. This suggests that Apple may expand RCS support around the upcoming iOS 18 update or the release of the iPhone 16 series. Apple’s adoption of RCS is expected to bring unification of messaging across devices.

A new one has been added to the Android official website login page Google Messages discusses first-party messaging experiences. The landing page has different sections for each feature set, including the RCS section.according to a reporter 9to5Google, the page (now deleted) stated that RCS on iPhone will launch in the fall of 2024.

As spotted by the publication, the expansion of RCS functionality is labeled “Coming soon to iOS” under the subtitle “Better messaging for everyone.” “Apple has announced that it will adopt RCS in the fall of 2024. Once implemented, this will mean a better messaging experience for everyone,” the description reads.

If Apple is indeed planning to release RCS support in the fall of 2024, then this suggests that the next operating system – iOS 18 – may introduce the new messaging standard in iOS. Apple typically releases major iOS updates in September around the launch of new iPhone series.

Apple revealed in November last year that it was working to add support for RCS and that compatibility would be implemented in 2024, but did not specify a specific timetable. The new RCS standard will work with iMessage and may provide a variety of messaging features, such as multimedia support, read receipts, typing indicators, and more. Apple’s adoption of RCS will enable cross-platform messaging between Android and iOS devices over mobile data or Wi-Fi networks.