Apple Expands RCS Messaging Support to More Carriers for iPhone Users

The updated list includes major U.S. carriers and smaller networks, though some notable exceptions remain.

RCS (Rich Communication Services) messaging, introduced to iPhones with iOS 18 in late 2023, allows features like high-quality media sharing and typing indicators when texting Android users.
Apple has updated its list of supported carriers, now including AT&T, Verizon, T-Mobile, Metro by T-Mobile, Xfinity Mobile, and others, making the service accessible to more iPhone users.
Notable carriers like Mint Mobile, Ultra Mobile, and Google Fi still lack RCS support, despite Mint and Ultra being acquired by T-Mobile earlier this year.
RCS messaging between iPhones and Androids currently lacks end-to-end encryption, a key feature that remains unavailable for these cross-platform chats.
Users must ensure both their iPhone and the Android device they are messaging support RCS, as the protocol is dependent on both devices, carriers, and messaging apps.