iPhone will add RCS support next year, ending the green bubble controversy

[Daniel Sims]

Why it matters: Starting next year, text messages from Android devices will no longer default to SMS or MMS green bubbles on Apple devices. The Cupertino giant recently confirmed upcoming support for RCS messaging, enhancing compatibility with non-Apple services amid pressure from competitors and possibly regulators.

An Apple spokesperson told 9to5Mac this week that a software update will add RCS compatibility to iMessage in 2024. The decision effectively removes a wall between the messaging service and its competitors that has long irritated companies like Google and Meta.

Text messages have come a long way since SMS and MMS were standard. Platforms like iMessage, Android Messages, WhatsApp, and Facebook Messenger have introduced features like Wi-Fi support, end-to-end encryption, high-resolution media support, read receipts, indicators to show when a recipient is typing, and more. However, Apple currently restricts iMessage's functionality to its hardware, causing messages from Android to iOS devices to revert to the old formats, which appear as green bubbles.

Rich Communication Services, or RCS, supports modern texting features across platforms, but Apple has refused to incorporate it into iMessages until now. Google previously accused the company of using iMessage to lock users onto Apple products, an assertion supported by the company's internal communications.

Next year's update won't bring iMessage to Android or other platforms but will enable Android and Apple device owners to communicate using advanced functionality. A specific feature the Cupertino giant confirmed is location sharing.

The new decision may be a reaction to the threat of new European regulations. Last year, the EU passed a law requiring widely-used services to support a degree of cross-platform interoperability. Regulators are still deciding whether to apply the legislation to iMessage, but Google and several telecom providers are pushing for the inclusion. Meta has also criticized Apple's previous iMessage restrictions.

A stopgap solution to the issue recently came to the Nothing Phone (2). Owners in the US, UK, Canada, and the EU can test a new service called Nothing Chat, which manages Android-to-iMessage texts without reverting to SMS or MMS. Currently, the app includes group chats, live typing indicators, high-resolution media sharing, and voice notes. Read receipts and special reactions are coming soon. It's unclear how Apple's announcement will affect Nothing Chat's development.

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https://www.techspot.com/news/100876-iphone-add-rcs-support-next-year-ending-green.html

 

[creeve4]

I had to check the date, seems like an April fools day joke

 

[matthisd]

This will in no way end the green/blue controversy (mainly a US issue in any case) as RCS will still be green bubbles and include less features (e.g. no encryption, for now). Good to see it happen, but still half-hearted on Apple's part

 

[m4a4]

Hahaha, I have no faith in Apple to do anything but the bare minimum to appease regulators.

I won't get my hopes up until I hear and see otherwise (after it launches).

 

[RandomWAN]

Hahaha, I have no faith in Apple to do anything but the bare minimum to appease regulators.

I won't get my hopes up until I hear and see otherwise (after it launches).

Don't forget them trying to sell it like it was their idea during the official roll out.

 

[Bl00dyMinded]

This will in no way end the green/blue controversy (mainly a US issue in any case) as RCS will still be green bubbles and include less features (e.g. no encryption, for now). Good to see it happen, but still half-hearted on Apple's part

But it was already confirmed it will include encryption, large file sharing by keep the quality of the photos and videos. And you will be able to text via network and not just mobile data. All that is confirmed. Not sure what other features you are referring too.

The best part will be they include all that with RCS but Android users will still appear with a green bubble That I can see them doing/keeping.

 

[Plutoisaplanet]

This will in no way end the green/blue controversy (mainly a US issue in any case) as RCS will still be green bubbles and include less features (e.g. no encryption, for now). Good to see it happen, but still half-hearted on Apple's part

If it has less features, it'll probably be because RCS doesn't support the same features as iMessage. For instance, group chat member management. In iMessage you can leave a group chat or add or remove people from it. Is this supported with RCS? I hear that it is, but all the videos I find on YouTube show simply people muting the conversation as an alternative to leaving.

 

[manowar51]

This is good but dont expect Android users to have parity with iphone users. And dont expect blue bubbles lmao. Android users are typically less tech savvy and I genuinely think that even after this, many will still ***** that they dont get blue bubbles.

Hopefully the EU politicians in Googles pocket leave Apple alone now. Perhaps Google can beat Apple with honest competition instead?

 

[NumberSix]

If it has less features, it'll probably be because RCS doesn't support the same features as iMessage. For instance, group chat member management. In iMessage you can leave a group chat or add or remove people from it. Is this supported with RCS? I hear that it is, but all the videos I find on YouTube show simply people muting the conversation as an alternative to leaving.

I can add, remove or leave group chats on the RCS group chats I am in, you do it from the group details screen.

 

[brucek]

Eww, I don't want Android losers sneaking into my iPhone chats.

 

[bviktor]

Why is it even an issue? Why would Apple HAVE to care about Google's own cr@p? How does making it open source somehow magically turn it into something mandatory and pro-consumer? And everyone else who don't adopt it anti-consumer? What the feck is this twisted mental trick they're doing here?

 

[RandomWAN]

Android users are typically less tech savvy and I genuinely think that even after this, many will still ***** that they dont get blue bubbles.

You misspelled "Apple". Having worked with a large number of both, your run-of-the-mill Apple user will be the less tech savvy.

 

[Bl00dyMinded]

This is good but dont expect Android users to have parity with iphone users. And dont expect blue bubbles lmao. Android users are typically less tech savvy and I genuinely think that even after this, many will still ***** that they dont get blue bubbles.

Hopefully the EU politicians in Googles pocket leave Apple alone now. Perhaps Google can beat Apple with honest competition instead?

You got that wrong... Currently working in a Top Fortune company and majority of IT is Android... Apple user are the ones that want things more simple. So... yeah...