The RCS (Rich Communication Services) protocol is the designated successor to SMS and MMS, but its deployment takes time. The giant Apple took time before integrating it into its ecosystem and SFR was the first French operator to offer RCS on iPhone. Available with iOS 18, this solution supported by Google is gaining ground on the Apple brand's smartphones. Operators now have free rein to make the service work on iPhone and they have decided to play the game.
Free and Bouygues Telecom join the RCS
With the release of beta 2 of iOS 18.2, Free Mobile and Bouygues Telecom now offer their customers the option to activate RCS. An important step in the evolution of messaging for iPhone users in France. Often presented as “SMS 2.0”, RCS offers functionality similar to instant messaging applications like WhatsApp or Messenger. Its activation is automatic and it is up to the operators to carry out the process.
At the time of writing, Orange is the last operator not to have reached the milestone. The deployment could nevertheless take place in a future beta of iOS 18.2, which would be good news for the customers of the historic operator and several MVNOs.
In order to benefit from the advantages of RCS, both users must activate the option. The technology then allows you to take advantage of sending high definition files between Android and iPhone, but also to have acknowledgments of receipt or to create group conversations with Android. RCS also provides better security for exchanges with the Google system.
Despite the appearance of the RCS, Apple has confirmed that it is not going to end the green bubbles. A choice that does not go unnoticed in the United States where differentiating messages from an iPhone from those from an Android smartphone can be a source of harassment.
How to activate RCS on an iPhone?
If your iPhone has iOS 18, it is possible to activate RCS if you are an SFR customer. From the home screen, go to Settings then Apps et Messages. Sous Service SMSyou can select Service RCS.
Available to everyone in December 2024?
According to Mark Gurman of Bloomberg, Apple will offer the update to iOS 18.2 in December 2024. The version should provide RCS support to all Free Mobile and Bouygues Telecom subscribers, unless an intermediate version deploys by then. A possible version, called iOS 18.1.1, could bring RCS to more users this November. A deadline which still gives Orange time not to fall too far behind its rivals.
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