Apple has made a monumental announcement to incorporate RCS messaging standard support into the iPhone software in early 2024. The tech giant has steered clear of introducing RCS support until this point, colluding with the GSM Association steadfastly. However, according to Apple, the RCS Universal Profile will offer a superior interoperability experience compared to SMS and MMS while coexisting with iMessage. Apple assures that iMessage will remain the best and most secure messaging platform for iPhone users.

The introduction of RCS support to the iPhone presents a pivotal moment in messaging, making the “green bubble shame” and platform-specific limitations obsolete. When RCS rolls out to iPhones, Android phone users will be able to communicate seamlessly, sharing media, group messaging, and locations. However, the RCS standard still lacks end-to-end encryption, a key concern for Apple that has been dedicated to providing encrypted messaging for over a decade. Additionally, there is no information on which iOS update will include RCS support or which iPhone generations will be compatible with the new communication standard.

This milestone from Apple comes after rivals such as Samsung and Google have already implemented RCS support. Google, in particular, has been vocal about Apple’s reluctance to adopt the universal standard. Emphasizing the importance of modern and secure communication, Google praised Apple for finally joining the RCS initiative.

Apple’s decision to incorporate RCS support is also seen as an indirect response to recent industry developments, such as Nothing’s move to incorporate iMessage onto its Android phones. Worth noting is the European Union’s push for tech companies to adhere to multiple standards, including the success of implementing USB-C ports on the iPhone 15 models.

While there is no word on whether the RCS support will introduce a third message bubble color, the adoption of RCS by Apple signals a significant shift in the messaging landscape. With the potential to revamp the way iPhone and Android users communicate, Apple’s decision will undoubtedly have a far-reaching impact on the mobile ecosystem.