Apple RCS Support Coming to iOS 18's iMessage—No More Green Bubbles?

Apple is staying true to its word in its integration of RCS (Rich Communication Service) to its iMessage and text messaging systems, one that would allow users to connect with others who do not own an Apple device. This feature will be available under iOS 18, expanding more on communicating with other contacts that would no longer use the old-school SMS or MMS.

Now, this brings up the question of the fiasco regarding blue and green bubbles, with Apple cleverly revamping this experience.

Apple RCS Support is Coming to iOS 18's iMessage

WWDC 2024's iOS 18 announcements may have been massive on AI, but a little-known detail that Apple only announced on its news release for the iPhone operating system confirms the arrival of RCS support. It will be available for iPhone's iMessage to use, and this will ensure that despite their contact not owning an Apple device, they will still see the faster, higher-quality experience with this adoption.

As revealed on Apple's iOS 18 Preview, both sides of the conversation will see the 'Delivered' status whenever sending a message to a non-Apple device, which marks that it was sent through RCS.

Moreover, audio messages, images, videos, and more would be available to exchange for iPhone to non-iPhone devices, or vice versa.

No More Green Bubbles, SMS/MMS?

However, the Green Bubbles would remain, representing that the ones they are talking to are non-Apple device users, and the indication that it was sent through RCS is with the read receipts. The text field says "Text Message · RCS" when talking with a non-iPhone user.

That being said, the Blue bubbles will remain for iMessage users across Apple's ecosystem.

Apple's RCS Adoption

For a long time, in Apple's technological developments, it stayed with the traditional SMS and MMS for its regular text messaging experiences, while Apple-to-Apple communication got the iMessage. The company previously expressed that it does not intend to switch to RCS despite the looming legislation in the EU for a universal messaging system and pressure from tech rivals.

Google, Samsung, and more threw shade and criticized Apple's decision to stay with SMS/MMS, only to be met with a whopping decision from Cupertino in 2023.

Apple previously revealed that it is working on adding RCS support for its messaging system, but it did not want Google to help it with this; it wanted the GSM Association.

It was a massive move for Apple as it will finally open up the experience for non-Apple users to get an improved texting experience that would allow cross-compatibility between Android and more. That being said, Apple's RCS support on iOS 18 will still feature Green bubbles, but it will be on RCS and show if the message is delivered, with the Blue bubbles remaining as Apple-to-Apple's iMessage.