Rcs 4.0 upgrade flows to android, leaves iphone users in the lurch
RCS has finally received a major upgrade, but iPhone users may not be able to take full advantage of it anytime soon.
The GSMA, the organization responsible for setting global mobile standards, has officially unveiled RCS Universal Profile 4.0. This marks a significant step forward for the modern messaging standard that's meant to replace traditional SMS.
Rcs 4.0 brings major new features
The new spec includes real-time video calling integrated into the RCS messaging layer, expanded group messaging capabilities, stronger spam and scam filtering, and lays the groundwork for end-to-end encryption (E2EE) across more message types.
However, the real-time video calling and encryption aspects in particular present challenges for interoperability between Android and iOS devices. Currently, an RCS message sent between an iPhone and an Android phone is not end-to-end encrypted by default, which raises privacy concerns.
Google moves quickly, but apple remains laggard
On the Android side, Google tends to adopt new RCS features rapidly. Google Messages, the default messaging app on Android, is likely to start rolling out the new UP 4.0 features in the coming year, although no official timeline has been confirmed.
Apple, however, is a different story. Despite finally adding RCS support with iOS 18 in 2024, the company's implementation is still stuck on version 2.4, leaving a significant gap between what's available on Android and what iPhone users can expect. There is currently no public commitment from Apple to move beyond 2.4, and given the company's history of slow RCS adoption, it may be a while before iPhone users can fully utilize the new features.
What would make you switch messaging apps?
As RCS 4.0 rolls out, it's worth considering what features would make you switch from your current default messaging app. For some, better spam and scam protection, end-to-end encryption, or high-definition video calling capabilities might be sufficient reasons to make the change.
Ultimately, however, the decision to switch depends on the individual user's needs and preferences. If you're heavily invested in the Apple ecosystem and don't see a compelling need for the new RCS features, you may be content to stick with iMessage or another messaging app.
But for Android users, the prospect of a more modern, feature-rich messaging experience could be enough to justify the switch.
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