iOS 18: Here's What You Need to Know About RCS Messaging on iPhone

Apple released iOS 18.2 on Dec. 11, more than a month after the tech giant released iOS 18.1 in October. The latest update brought a lot of Apple Intelligence features, like Genmoji and Image Playground, to some iPhones. But when Apple released iOS 18 in September, that update introduced Rich Communication Services support in Messages to your iPhone.

With RCS messaging, you can enjoy features like typing indicators and the “Delivered” status message while messaging Android users. It also helps ensure high-quality videos and pictures are sent when texting between iPhone and Android devices. And with the iOS 18.1 update, Apple brought RCS Business Messaging to iPhones, which means you’ll be able to chat with some businesses in Messages rather than a buggy webpage.

However, RCS on iPhone doesn’t provide end-to-end encryption between iPhones and Android. The GSM Association, which develops the RCS standard, said in September that it’s working to enable end-to-end encryption between these devices.

Here’s how to check if your carrier supports RCS and how to make sure it’s enabled on your iPhone.

Does my carrier support RCS messaging?

Most carriers support RCS but not all. For example, Verizon, AT&T and T-Mobile all support RCS on iPhones running iOS 18. If your iPhone is running iOS 18.2, here are all the US carriers that support RCS on iPhone.

AT&T
Boost Mobile
C Spire
Consumer Cellular
Cricket
FirstNet
H20 Wireless
Metro by T-Mobile
PureTalk
Red Pocket
Spectrum Mobile
T-Mobile
TracFone / Straight Talk
US Cellular
Verizon
Visible
Xfinity Mobile

If you live outside of the US, here’s how to check on your iPhone for whether your carrier supports RCS messaging on your device.

1. Open Settings on your iPhone.
2. Tap General.
3. Tap About.
4. Tap Carrier.

When you tap Carrier, it will change to IMS Status and show messaging support details to the right. For example, if your carrier supports RCS, you’ll see Voice, SMS & RCS. If your carrier doesn’t support RCS, you’ll see Voice & SMS.

If your carrier doesn’t support RCS Messaging though, have no fear, Apple is reportedly expanding support to more carriers in the future.

How to enable or disable RCS on your iPhone

Apple RCS texting — Apple is finally bringing RCS to iPhones with iOS 18.

Apple/CNET

If your carrier supports RCS, here’s how to make sure it’s working on your iPhone.

1. Open Settings.
2. Tap Apps near the bottom of the menu.
3. Tap Messages.
4. Tap RCS Messaging under Text Messaging.
4. Tap the toggle next to RCS Messaging.

Now messaging Android devices will feel more like messaging another iPhone — but you’ll still see those green bubbles. And if you want to disable RCS, follow the above steps again.

Why won’t RCS work on my iPhone?

If you updated your iPhone to iOS 18.2, your carrier supports RCS and you enabled it on your iPhone, but RCS isn’t working for you, you might need to restart your iPhone.

Is it safe to message Android devices?

Yes, but you should use an end-to-end encrypted messaging app, like Signal or WhatsApp. RCS on iPhone is not end-to-end encrypted, and the FBI and US Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency are advising iPhone and Android users not to message each other because of a cyberattack. According to officials, the cyberattack is targeting telecom companies, including AT&T, Verizon and Lumen Technologies. The attack might have compromised private texts, phone conversations and call metadata on mobile devices.

For more on iOS 18, here’s what to know about iOS 18.2 and iOS 18.1 and our iOS 18 cheat sheet. You can also check out what could come to your iPhone with iOS 18.3.