Apple has announced that it will be adding support for the RCS (Rich Communication Services) standard on iOS next year. This move comes as a major reversal for the iPhone-maker and aims to resolve the long-standing issue of compatibility in text messaging between iPhones and Android smartphones, commonly referred to as the “green bubble” dread, which has been a concern for millions of users worldwide.
Critics have argued that Apple’s refusal to support RCS has perpetuated fragmentation in messaging ecosystems, particularly affecting Android users. The company’s stance, seen as maintaining ecosystem exclusivity, has sparked debates in the tech community regarding interoperability and user convenience.
However, Apple’s recent announcement signals a change in direction. In an abrupt announcement made on Thursday, the company stated that it believes the RCS Universal Profile will offer a better interoperability experience compared to SMS or MMS. The support for RCS will be rolled out alongside iMessage, which Apple claims will continue to provide the best and most secure messaging experience for its users.
This reversal follows repeated requests from Google, as well as public pressure, for Apple to add support for RCS to iPhones. Hiroshi Lockheimer, SVP at Google, highlighted the issue last year when he tweeted about the visual distinction, known as “green bubbles,” that appears when a message is sent from an Android user to an iPhone.
Google’s request was not about making iMessage available on Android but rather urging Apple to support the industry standard for modern messaging, RCS, in iMessage. Google argued that by not incorporating RCS, Apple was hindering the industry and compromising the user experience for both Android users and its own customers.
Apple’s response to questions about adopting RCS had previously been dismissive, with CEO Tim Cook suggesting that individuals should simply buy their loved ones iPhones instead.
RCS is a collaborative effort among several industry players to enhance traditional SMS with modern features such as richer texts and end-to-end encryption. Over the years, Google, Samsung, and other firms, including telecom operators, have rolled out support for RCS to over 800 million users worldwide.
This announcement from Apple marks a significant development in the messaging landscape and will likely bring relief to millions of users who have longed for seamless communication between iPhones and Android smartphones.
