Google corroborates Apple's implementation of RCS in iOS 18

2024-03-28 21:30:02

At the end of last year, the Apple announced that iOS would gain support for the protocol RCS ¹ as the default for messages exchanged with people who don’t have iPhones. The protocol will therefore replace SMS ² it’s MMS ³already outdated and unsafe.

When revealing the news, the company stated that the feature would reach iPhones “at the end of 2024”, although without providing an exact date. Recently, however, information regarding the arrival of support was added to the… Androiddo Google!

More precisely, a mention was added on the page relating to Google’s Messages app to the fact that Apple has announced future compatibility with RCS, even indicating that adoption will take place “in the fall of 2024” — naturally from the northern hemisphere, which corresponds to our spring.

The “forecast” of the Mountain View giant is in line with what Apple had released, as well as the expectation that support for RCS will be included in the iOS 18. It is not known for sure, however, whether the new feature will come with the first version, or just a few months later, with subsequent updates (18.1, 18.2…).

The benefits of RCS are also detailed on the same page, such as the ability to send photos and videos, typing indicators and a better experience in group conversations. Google also says that Apple’s adoption of the protocol will mean a better messaging experience for everyone.

There is also a mention of the reaction to messages with emojis, including the indication that it will be released soon with RCS. This could mean that this function becomes part of the protocol specification, as it currently works through Google Messages’ own mechanisms (and also iMessage).

The page also highlights exclusive features of the Google app and others made possible by RCS, such as end-to-end encryption. It is worth remembering that the company has already provoked Apple a lot in order to pressure the adoption of the protocol, although the reason for Apple’s change of position may have been different.