With the release of iOS 18, Apple introduced support for Rich Communication Services (RCS) on iPhone, which begs the question: How to Enable RCS on iOS 18? Unfortunately, it may not be possible for everyone to enable this feature. Because it depends on whether your carrier supports it or not. In this guide, we’ll show you exactly how to enable RCS on iOS 18 and which carriers support it.
How to enable RCS on iOS 18?
The most important thing to understand about how to enable RCS on iOS 18 is that it requires cooperation between Apple and your carrier. RCS adds several features that were once exclusive to iMessage, such as sending rich media like large files, audio, and even read receipts, which were previously unavailable in standard SMS messaging.
RCS is currently available from major US carriers such as AT&T, T-Mobile, and Verizon, but its availability extends beyond the US. Some operators in Canada, Europe, and Asia also offer support. If your carrier has implemented RCS, it’s pretty simple to enable it on your iPhone. You can also contact your carrier to find out if they support RCS.
If you’ve confirmed that your carrier supports RCS and have updated your iPhone to iOS 18, enabling this feature is simple. Follow these steps:
- Update to iOS 18: First, make sure your iPhone is running iOS 18. To do this, go to Settings > General > Software Update and install any available updates. iOS 18 requires an iPhone XR or later.
- Access the Messages App Settings: Once your phone is up to date, go to Settings > Apps > Messages. Scroll down to see if there’s an option to enable RCS.
- Enable RCS: If the option appears, you can toggle the setting to enable RCS messaging. If you don’t see this option, it means your carrier hasn’t enabled RCS for your iPhone yet. Keep an eye out for future updates, as Apple and your carrier may add support at a later time.
Checking if your carrier supports RCS
Before diving into How to enable RCS on iOS 18? you’ll first need to confirm that your carrier is compatible. Apple has updated its Wireless Carrier Support page with a list of carriers that already support RCS on iPhones running iOS 18.
Here’s how to quickly find out if your carrier supports RCS on iOS 18:
- Visit Apple’s official Wireless Carrier Support page.
- Look for your region and carrier.
- If your carrier is listed, you’re ready to enable RCS. If not, you’ll have to wait for your carrier to provide support.
Remember, even if your carrier doesn’t support RCS just yet, they may roll it out in the coming months as Apple has been working with various carriers worldwide to bring this feature to more iPhone users.
While RCS messages will still appear in green bubbles, they come with several improvements over traditional SMS. For starters, RCS on iOS 18 lets you send larger media files and audio clips to users, even if they’re using Android. You’ll also get read receipts for RCS messages—something previously reserved for iMessage. Additionally, when using RCS, the Messages app will display a “Text Message – RCS” label in conversations, confirming that RCS is active. However, the classic blue bubble for iMessage will remain exclusive to iPhones communicating with other iPhones.
What is RCS messaging?
We have answered the question how to enable RCS on iOS 18, but what exactly is RCS? RCS is an upgrade to SMS. It adds modern features to texting. While SMS has stayed the same for decades, RCS adds new features like those in popular apps like WhatsApp or iMessage. RCS lets you send rich messages with photos, videos, audio, and documents. It supports group messaging, location sharing, and read receipts, which were previously exclusive to instant messaging apps. RCS is an upgrade to SMS.
RCS uses your phone’s internet to send messages. This is a big change from SMS, which uses a cell network. RCS messages look and work like other chat apps, so users don’t have to switch platforms. You can send high-resolution images or videos with RCS messaging instead of just text. Users can see when a message is being typed or read, like in iMessage or WhatsApp. It makes conversations smoother and more interactive.
Let’s say you’re sharing event details with friends. With RCS, you can send a location pin, start a group chat, and attach images or videos related to the event. Or imagine you’re working on a project with a colleague who uses an Android. You can send large files and get real-time feedback with RCS, no apps are needed.
RCS is more than just a convenience. It can even save lives. In an emergency, you can share your location with emergency responders using RCS. You can also send larger files and rich media, which is useful in urgent situations. RCS is a modern feature that makes text messaging more efficient and user-friendly. So now you know both what RCS is and the answer to the question How to enable RCS on iOS 18?
Image credits: Apple
