In the latest iOS 18 beta 3 update, Apple has extended RCS (Rich Communication Services) support to more carriers globally.
Initially enabled only for certain US carriers in the second beta, the third beta now includes support for international carriers.
With the updated beta, iPhone users in Canada on Videotron, Telus Mobility, and Bell, as well as those on Telefonica in Spain, SFR in France, and O2 in Germany, can now use RCS. In the US, the feature remains available with AT&T, T-Mobile, and Verizon.
RCS allows iPhone users to send messages with enhanced media, audio, and read receipts to users of Android devices, thereby bridging some features previously exclusive to iMessage.
These RCS messages will still appear as green bubbles but will be labeled “Text Message – RCS” in conversations.
To enable RCS, users with the latest iOS 18 beta and supported carriers can navigate to Settings > Apps > Messages. If the option is not visible, it indicates that the carrier has not yet updated its settings bundle to support RCS on the iPhone.
Carriers need to update their settings bundles with each new beta release to enable RCS, suggesting more carriers might support this feature before the official iOS 18 release this fall.
Currently, iOS 18 is available as a beta preview, with a public beta expected later this month.
