The RCS (Rich Communication Services) widely used on Android is now available on iOS18, but for the moment only SFR supports it, this technology has not yet been activated for Orange, Free Mobile and Bouygues Telecom subscribers.
This is one of the new features of iOS 18, after having long refused to take the plunge, Apple is now integrating RCS into its mobile operating system, but operators still need to do what is necessary and invest in this technology. In France, SFR is the only one to have deployed this service for the moment. Mobile subscribers of SFR and Red by SFR are now able to use the successor to SMS by going to the settings of the Messages application, section SMS service
and “RCS Service” option.
Concretely, RCS messages will be sent like old SMS with green bubbles but the type of message will be indicated in the text input field (iMessage, RCS or SMS). Contacted by iGen, Free and Orange both indicated that they are working on this support. Bouygues Telecom is also working on a future adoption.
The arrival of RCS in iOS 18 comes as part of the new regulation intended to protect competition (DMA), and to make iMessage compatible with messaging applications, such as Whatsapp or Messenger. An eventuality that Apple does not consider, which preferred to open up to the RCS protocol as a gesture of good faith.
RCS offers rich features like large file sharing, high-definition photos and videos, group chats, instant messaging with typing indicator, and more, all without requiring a third-party app. In other words, RCS transforms the native messaging app into a WhatsApp or Messenger-like experience, with advanced features that go far beyond what traditional SMS can offer.
This article was reprinted on the Univers FreeBox website
