iPhone users are now set to be friends with Android users on iMessage, as Apple has announced its decision to adopt the Rich Communication Services (RCS) messaging standard. This move paves the way for a unified messaging experience across the platform, allowing Android users to enjoy the full suite of iMessage features.
Apple made the strategic decision to integrate the RCS messaging standard into its messaging platform in response to the European Union’s Digital Markets Act and regulatory pressure from competitors such as Google and Samsung, 9 to 5 Mac reported. Apple will implement the feature in late 2024 through a software update.
“Next year, we will add support for the RCS Universal Profile, which is currently the standard published by the GSM Association. We believe that the RCS Universal Profile will provide a better interoperability experience than SMS or MMS,” Apple told the publication.