More than a month after the tech giant’s October release of iOS 18.1, Apple launched iOS 18.2 on December 11. Many Apple Intelligence features, such as Image Playground and Genmoji, were added to some iPhones with the most recent version. However, Rich Communication Services capability was added to your iPhone’s Messages when Apple launched iOS 18 in September.

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While contacting Android users, you may take use of features like typing indications and the “Delivered” status message using RCS messaging. Additionally, it helps guarantee that when messaging between iPhone and Android smartphones, high-quality images and videos are transferred. Additionally, Apple introduced RCS Business Messaging to iPhones with the iOS 18.1 update, allowing you to communicate with certain companies via Messages instead of a problematic website.

Nevertheless, end-to-end encryption between iPhones and Android devices is not offered by RCS on iPhone. In September, the RCS standard’s creator, the GSM Association, said that it is attempting to make end-to-end encryption possible between these devices.

See also: All the Information You Require About iOS 18

Here’s how to make sure RCS is activated on your iPhone and find out whether your carrier supports it.

Is RCS messaging supported by my carrier?

RCS is supported by most, but not all, carriers. For instance, RCS is supported on iPhones running iOS 18 by Verizon, AT&T, and T-Mobile. These are all the US carriers that enable RCS on iPhones if your device is running iOS 18.2.

T-Mobile PureTalk Red Pocket Spectrum Mobile AT&T Boost Mobile C Spire Consumer Cellular Cricket FirstNet H20 Wireless Metro T-Mobile TracFone / Straight Talk US Cellular Verizon Visible Xfinity Mobile
Here is how to find out whether your carrier allows RCS texting on your iPhone if you don’t reside in the US.

1. Go to your iPhone’s Settings.
2. Press the General button.
3. Press Around.
4. Press the Carrier button.

It will switch to IMS Status and display messaging support information on the right when you tap Carrier. For instance, you will see Voice, SMS, and RCS if your carrier offers it. You will see Voice & SMS if your provider does not support RCS.

However, don’t worry if your carrier doesn’t support RCS Messaging; it’s said that Apple plans to add more carriers in the future.

How to turn your iPhone’s RCS on or off

Texting using Apple RCS
With iOS 18, Apple is finally introducing RCS to iPhones.
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Here’s how to confirm if RCS is functioning on your iPhone if your carrier supports it.

1. Go to Settings.
2. Near the bottom of the menu, tap Apps.
3. Select Messages.
4. Under Text Messaging, choose RCS Messaging.
5. Press the RCS Messaging toggle.

You will still see the green bubbles while texting Android devices, but it will now seem more like messaging another iPhone. Additionally, repeat the previous procedures if you want to deactivate RCS.

See also: The Best Apple Feature in Years Is the High-Resolution Slow-Motion Video on the iPhone 16 Pro

Why does my iPhone not support RCS?

If you activated RCS on your iPhone after updating to iOS 18.2 and your carrier supports it, but RCS isn’t functioning for you, you may need to restart your device.

Is messaging Android smartphones safe?

Yes, although it would be best to use an end-to-end encrypted messaging service, such as WhatsApp or Signal. The FBI and US Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency are warning iPhone and Android users not to communicate one another due to a hack, since RCS on iPhones is not end-to-end encrypted. Officials claim that telecom firms including AT&T, Verizon, and Lumen Technologies are among those targeted by the malware. Private messages, phone chats, and call information on mobile devices may have been compromised by the hack.

Read more: An Overview of the Current Cyberattack on Mobile Messaging

See our iOS 18 cheat sheet and what you need to know about iOS 18.2 and 18.1 for additional information on iOS 18. You may also see what iOS 18.3 could bring to your iPhone.