Apple is set to adopt RCS messaging for iPhones by the year 2024.

Apple has announced its intention to incorporate the rich communication services (RCS) standard into iPhone text messaging, with the rollout expected in a 2024 iOS update. This move aims to bridge the gap between iMessage-exclusive features and conversations with Android users.

The disclosure came through a statement provided to 9to5Mac, where an Apple spokesperson mentioned, "Later next year, we will be incorporating support for RCS Universal Profile, following the standard currently published by the GSM Association. We believe that RCS Universal Profile will enhance the interoperability experience compared to SMS or MMS. This will complement iMessage, maintaining its position as the premier and most secure messaging experience for Apple users."

Under pressure to adopt RCS, Apple faced criticism in 2022 from Android for not enabling RCS for iPhone-to-Android conversations, which lacked end-to-end encryption. Despite initial resistance, Apple's CEO, Tim Cook, playfully suggested switching to an iPhone as a solution, dismissing the need to bridge the technologies.

Google, Android's parent company, continued to criticize Apple for sticking to SMS and MMS standards. Recently, Google joined telecom providers in urging European Commission regulators to mandate Apple's adoption of RCS. The Nothing Phone 2's mock iMessage capabilities might have influenced Apple's decision.

It's essential to note that iMessage functionality will remain unchanged for iPhone-to-iPhone conversations. RCS adoption will impact conversations involving an iPhone and one or more Android phones, with RCS taking precedence over SMS and MMS as backup options.

This move will introduce several awaited features for iPhone-to-Android conversations, including location-sharing, read receipts, typing indicators, and higher-quality media sharing. RCS messages will be transmitted via Wi-Fi and mobile data, expanding beyond basic cellular service.

While RCS offers more secure encryption than SMS and MMS, Apple emphasizes that its encryption level is not as robust as the end-to-end encryption used in iMessage. The color of RCS message bubbles remains uncertain for users particular about their text message aesthetics.