What is RCS on iPhone? How to enable & use it

What is RCS on iPhone? How to enable & use it

For years, texting between iPhones and Android phones meant falling back to SMS: compressed images, broken group chats, no read receipts. 

That's finally changing. 

Apple added RCS support to iPhones in late 2024, bringing rich messaging features to cross-platform conversations for the first time.

But what does RCS mean for iPhone users? How do you turn it on (or off)? And what changes when you send RCS messages instead of SMS?

Here's everything you need to know about RCS on iPhone.

What is RCS on iPhone?

RCS (Rich Communication Services) is a messaging protocol designed to replace SMS. It's been available on Android for years, and as of iOS 18, it's supported on iPhones too.

When you send a text message to an Android user from your iPhone, your phone now uses RCS instead of SMS (assuming both devices support it and have it enabled). That means your messages get the same rich features you're used to with iMessage:

• High-resolution photos and videos that don't get compressed into a pixelated mess

• Read receipts so you know when your message was delivered and read

• Typing indicators that show when someone is responding

• Better group chats with improved functionality for mixed iPhone/Android groups

• Longer messages without the 160-character SMS limit

• Audio messages and file sharing within the conversation

In short, RCS makes texting Android users feel a lot more like iMessage (just minus the blue bubbles).

Not sure the difference? Get all the details in our more in-depth piece: RCS vs. iMessage: Everything you need to know.

What does "text message RCS" mean on iPhone?

When you see "Text Message - RCS" in a conversation on your iPhone, it means the message is being sent via the RCS protocol rather than SMS or MMS.

Here's how to tell which protocol your iPhone is using:

• iMessage: Blue bubbles. Sent between Apple devices only.

• RCS: Green bubbles with "Text Message - RCS" indicator. Sent to Android users with RCS support.

• SMS/MMS: Green bubbles with "Text Message" indicator. Fallback when RCS isn't available.

The green bubbles stay green. Apple isn't making RCS conversations look like iMessage. But the experience is significantly better than SMS, even if the color doesn't change.

How to enable RCS on iPhone

RCS should be enabled by default on iPhones running iOS 18 or later, but here's how to check and make sure it's turned on:

1. Open Settings on your iPhone

2. Scroll down and tap Apps

3. Tap Messages

4. Look for RCS Messaging under the "Text Messaging" section

5. Make sure the toggle is on (green)

That's it. 

Once RCS Messaging is enabled, your iPhone will automatically use RCS when texting Android users who also have RCS enabled. No additional setup required.

Requirements for RCS on iPhone

• iOS 18 or later — RCS isn't available on older iOS versions

• Carrier support — Most major US carriers support RCS, but availability varies by region

• Data connection — RCS uses Wi-Fi or mobile data, not the cellular SMS network

If you're on iOS 18 but don't see the RCS Messaging option, your carrier may not support RCS yet. Check with your carrier for availability in your area.

How to turn off RCS on iPhone

Maybe you prefer SMS. Maybe you're troubleshooting message delivery issues. Maybe you just want to see what changes when you disable it. Whatever the reason, here's how to turn off RCS on your iPhone:

1. Open Settings

2. Tap Apps

3. Tap Messages

4. Find RCS Messaging under "Text Messaging"

5. Toggle it off (gray)

When RCS is disabled, your iPhone will fall back to SMS/MMS for all non-iMessage conversations. You'll lose the rich features (high-res media, read receipts, typing indicators), but messages will still send.

Keep in mind that turning off RCS affects your experience when texting Android users. It doesn't change anything about iMessage conversations with other Apple users.

How to send RCS messages on iPhone

You don't have to do anything special to send RCS messages. Once RCS is enabled, your iPhone handles it automatically.

Here's how it works:

1. Open the Messages app

2. Start a new conversation or open an existing one with an Android user

3. Type your message and tap Send

Your iPhone checks whether the recipient supports RCS. If they do (and you both have RCS enabled), the message sends via RCS. If they don't, it falls back to SMS.

You'll know your message was sent via RCS if you see the "Text Message - RCS" label in the conversation. You'll also see features like read receipts and typing indicators that aren't available with SMS.

Tips for RCS messaging on iPhone

• Check the label: Look for "Text Message - RCS" to confirm you're using RCS.

• Watch for fallback: If someone's phone doesn't support RCS or they're offline, your message may fall back to SMS.

• Media quality: RCS supports high-resolution images and videos—no more compression.

• Group chats: Mixed iPhone/Android group chats work better with RCS, but some limitations still apply.

How to switch from SMS to RCS on iPhone

If your messages to Android users are showing as "Text Message" (SMS) instead of "Text Message - RCS," here's how to troubleshoot:

1. Make sure RCS is enabled

Check Settings > Apps > Messages > RCS Messaging and confirm it's toggled on.

2. Check your iOS version

RCS requires iOS 18 or later. Go to Settings > General > Software Update to make sure you're on the latest version.

3. Verify your data connection

RCS uses data (Wi-Fi or cellular) instead of the SMS network. Make sure you have an active internet connection.

4. Check if the recipient supports RCS

RCS only works if both parties have it enabled. If you're texting someone on an older Android phone, a device without RCS support, or an Android user who disabled RCS, your messages will fall back to SMS.

5. Restart your iPhone

Sometimes the classics work. A restart can resolve RCS connectivity issues.

6. Contact your carrier

If RCS still isn't working, your carrier may not fully support it yet. Reach out to them for more information about RCS availability on your plan.

What's different about RCS on iPhone vs. iMessage?

RCS brings iPhone-to-Android messaging much closer to the iMessage experience, but they're not the same. Here's how they compare:

The biggest difference is encryption. iMessage is end-to-end encrypted by default. Apple can't read your messages. Apple's RCS implementation doesn't include end-to-end encryption, so RCS messages are less private than iMessage conversations.

For most everyday texting, RCS delivers a much better experience than SMS. But for sensitive conversations, iMessage (or a dedicated encrypted messenger) is still the more secure choice.

RCS on iPhone for businesses

If you're a business using messaging to engage customers, RCS on iPhone is a big deal.

Before iOS 18, RCS could only reach Android users (that’s about half your potential audience). Now, RCS messages can reach iPhone users too, expanding the addressable market for rich business messaging.

That means:

• Branded messages: Send messages with your company logo, colors, and verified sender profile.

• Rich media: Include high-resolution images, videos, and carousels in your messages.

• Interactive elements: Add buttons, quick replies, and suggested actions.

• Better engagement: RCS messages see higher engagement rates than SMS because they're more visual and interactive.

Twilio's messaging platform supports SMS, MMS, and RCS, so you can deliver rich, interactive messages to customers on iPhone and Android.

Check out Twilio RCS to get started.

Frequently asked questions

What is RCS on iPhone?

RCS (Rich Communication Services) is a messaging protocol that enables features like high-resolution media, read receipts, typing indicators, and better group chats. Apple added RCS support to iPhones starting with iOS 18 in late 2024.

What does "text message RCS" mean on iPhone?

When you see "Text Message - RCS" in a conversation, it means your message is being sent via the RCS protocol instead of SMS. RCS offers richer features than SMS, including high-res photos, read receipts, and typing indicators. Your messages still appear as green bubbles, but the experience is better than traditional SMS.

How do I turn on RCS on iPhone?

Go to Settings > Apps > Messages, then look for "RCS Messaging" under the Text Messaging section and toggle it on. RCS is typically enabled by default on iPhones running iOS 18 or later, but you can check this setting to confirm it's active.

How do I turn off RCS on iPhone?

Go to Settings > Apps > Messages, find "RCS Messaging," and toggle it off. Your iPhone will fall back to SMS/MMS for all non-iMessage conversations. You'll lose RCS features like read receipts and high-res media, but messages will still send.

Is RCS on iPhone encrypted?

Apple's RCS implementation does not include end-to-end encryption. While RCS is more secure than SMS, it's not as private as iMessage, which is end-to-end encrypted by default.

Why are RCS messages still green bubbles?

Apple uses blue bubbles for iMessage and green bubbles for everything else—including RCS. This is a design choice to distinguish iMessage conversations from cross-platform messaging. While RCS offers a better experience than SMS, Apple still visually separates it from the iMessage experience.