US carriers have enabled support for RCS messaging for iPhone users on their networks. This comes following the release of iOS 18 beta 2, which shipped with an RCS toggle in the Messages app.
Multiple reports from iPhone users running iOS 18 beta confirm that RCS messaging is now live for them.
iOS 18 beta users can experience RCS messaging now
Apple first announced in November 2023 that it would bring RCS messaging support to the iPhone to improve texting with Android users. Then, at WWDC24, the company again reaffirmed its commitment to bring RCS to the iPhone. The feature will debut with iOS 18 later this year.
RCS messaging option was missing in the first iOS 18 developer beta. While the option popped up for US iPhone users in the second iOS 18 beta, enabling it did nothing. However, a day later, support for Rich Communication Services appears to have gone live for some users.
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If enabled, the Messages window will show “RCS” in the input box. Users also report features like typing indicators and read receipts working fine.
RCS requires carrier support to work
As of now, RCS messaging is only available to iPhone users running iOS 18 beta 2 on T-Mobile, Verizon, and AT&T networks. The feature might not work immediately after enabling, as the carriers are still rolling out RCS support.
Rich Communication Services requires carrier support to work. So, if your operator does not support it, you cannot use RCS.
It is unclear when carriers outside the US will enable RCS support on their networks for iPhones running iOS 18. Given that the OS is in beta testing for the next few months, they have ample time to add RCS support.
