Apple to Adopt RCS Messaging Standard for Better Interoperability With Android Devices

After years of persuading from Google, Apple plans to adopt the Rich Communication Services (RCS) standard as of next year. An Apple spokesperson told TechRadar and 9to5Mac that support for RCS will be coming next year.

Later next year, we will be adding support for RCS Universal Profile, the standard as currently published by the GSM Association. We believe the RCS Universal Profile will offer a better interoperability experience when compared to SMS or MMS. This will work alongside iMessage, which will continue to be the best and most secure messaging experience for Apple users.

According to Apple, RCS will “work alongside iMessage” and will improve communication between iPhone and Android users.

Rich Communication Services is communication protocol designed by and adopted by Google. Smartphone makers and carriers worldwide have adopted RCS, but Apple has been resisting its adoption. Google has been pushing Apple to accept RCS through a long-running ad campaign involving billboards, a website, social media pressure, and more.

Compared to MMS and SMS, the standards that Apple uses for text messages, RCS supports higher resolution photos and videos, audio messages, and bigger file sizes. It also adds improved encryption for end-to-end encrypted chats between ‌iPhone‌ and Android users, cross-platform emoji reactions, and more reliability for group chats across different devices.

With RCS, real-time typing indicators, read receipts, better photos and videos, and much improved group chats will be standard on iPhones and Android phones, putting an end to the frustration that some ‌iPhone‌ users experience when attempting to communicate with Android smartphone owners.

Back in September 2022, Apple CEO Tim Cook said that adopting RCS was not a priority for Apple. “I don’t hear our users asking that we put a lot of energy into that at this point,” he said. It is not clear why Apple has changed its stance, but the company is facing regulatory scrutiny over the App Store, iMessage, and other proprietary technologies in multiple countries, so adopting RCS could be seen as a willingness to work with other companies to improve device interoperability.

This article, “Apple to Adopt RCS Messaging Standard for Better Interoperability With Android Devices” first appeared on MacRumors.com

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