RCS update aims to improve messaging between Galaxy phones, iPhones

After years of pleading and public shaming, Apple finally introduced RCS to iPhones. The feature is still in beta and is expected to roll out in the next couple of months with the public release of iOS 18. A new RCS update has been released to improve messaging between iPhones and Android devices like Galaxy phones.

RCS update can make messaging even better between Galaxy phones and iPhones

The GSMA Association (GSMA), which maintains RCS, has released (via 9To5Google) a new update (Universal Profile 2.7) to the standard. It includes the Extended Messaging feature, which aims to improve RCS interoperability between Android phones and iPhones.

The Universal Profile 2.7 for RCS was released in June 2024. It brings features like replies to individual messages, reactions and custom reactions to messages, and editing/deleting/recalling sent messages.

Right now, emoji reactions to messages are converted to SMS for emojis to appear. However, with the new RCS update, apps don’t have to convert emojis, and they will appear on top of an associated message. The update also brings support for custom reactions that could use an existing or generated image (such as stickers).

The story continues after the video below.

As of now, the Messages app on iPhones running iOS 18 doesn’t support in-line replies. So, replies from an Android phone appear as separate messages and don’t reference the original message. With the new RCS update, Apple will have to implement in-line replies for RCS messages.

This RCS update allows users to edit, recall, or delete messages. It also brings a spam reporting system for person-to-person messaging. Hopefully, this should reduce possible spam through crowdsourcing.

With this update, RCS should offer a satisfying user experience when messages are sent and received between Galaxy (or any other Android) phones and iPhones.