2024-09-21 19:02:25
With the release of iOS 18, Apple released the RCS messaging standard for its iPhones. However, an important function is missing from the service.
With the introduction of iOS 18, Apple is bringing the SMS successor RCS (Rich Communication Services) to iPhones. This means that for the first time, short messages can be sent from Apple phones to Android users via the encrypted RCS protocol instead of via SMS.
However, an important function is still missing from the service, as the IT magazine “heise online” reports. There is no end-to-end encryption like in WhatsApp, iMessage or Signal. This means that network operators, among others, could read the messages sent by their users via the RCS protocol.
It is said that such encryption is planned for future RCS versions. However, it is unknown how long such an implementation would take. Message encryption is a “significant technical challenge,” say the developers.
Users can currently send messages with images, videos or audio files via RCS. You can also see whether a message has been read or words have been typed, similar to WhatsApp or Telegram. Group chats are also possible.
The function can be activated in the iPhone settings if it was not activated automatically. Users can set up RCS communication on their phone under “Apps” > “Messages” and “RCS Messages”. In future, RCS messages will appear green like SMS messages did before. Messages sent via iMessage will remain blue.
Apple released iOS 18 for its iPhones last Monday. In addition to the introduction of RCS messages, the company has released other features. You can find out what they are here. In the article you can also read which iPhones are compatible with iOS 18.