RCS Support for Major MVNOs in iOS 18.4 Update

Key Takeaways

1. iOS 18 introduces Rich Communication Services (RCS) support for iPhones, expanding messaging features.
2. The second developer beta of iOS 18.4 includes RCS support for T-Mobile MVNOs like Google Fi, Mint Mobile, Tello, and U.S. Mobile.
3. RCS support is also being rolled out in Europe, with carriers like Sosh and Orange gaining access in the iOS 18.4 beta.
4. RCS enhances text messaging by providing features like read receipts and high-quality media sharing, similar to iMessage.
5. RCS addresses messaging challenges between iPhone and Android users, easing the “green bubbles vs. blue bubbles” issue.

With the launch of iOS 18, iPhones started to support Rich Communication Services, commonly known as RCS. Nonetheless, not every carrier has adapted to this feature. It seems that the upcoming iOS 18.4 will expand RCS support to iPhones on several well-known MVNOs.

Developer Beta Updates

The second developer beta of iOS 18.4 is now being released, and reports indicate that T-Mobile MVNOs are getting RCS support. Some of these MVNOs are well-known options like Google Fi, Mint Mobile, Tello, and U.S. Mobile. It’s important to note that this functionality seems to only be accessible in the developer beta, and not in the public beta.

Expanding to Europe

In France, carriers including Sosh and Orange have also gained RCS support in this iOS 18.4 beta, hinting at a wider rollout of RCS for certain European mobile providers as well.

RCS enhances standard text messaging, bringing it closer to Apple’s iMessage and other messaging platforms. Instead of relying on the old SMS standard, RCS offers improved features like read receipts, high-quality video and image sharing, audio messages, and more. With the introduction of RCS in iOS 18, there has been a sort of truce in the ongoing “green bubbles vs. blue bubbles” conflict between Android and iPhone users.

Addressing User Needs

Although RCS may not be as feature-packed as iMessage, it does offer functionalities that solve many previous challenges faced by iPhone users when messaging friends on Android devices.

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