Google Messages is gearing up to support RCS in group chats with Apple users

To date, messages between Android and iPhone users have been sent using the outdated SMS protocol, making text messaging between the two operating systems less secure than alternative messengers that provide end-to-end encryption. The use of SMS also meant that cross-platform chats couldn’t utilize advanced features such as read notifications, typing indicators, sending low-compression media files, and more.

Apple finally gave in to years of pressure from users and manufacturers, and announced at its WWDC event that RCS support will arrive on iPhones with the release of iOS 18, which is likely to be released this September. The first signs of RCS on iOS 18 have already appeared in beta 2, giving access to the protocol for AT&T, T-Mobile and Verizon customers. Now, as Android Authority reports, Google is preparing its Messages app so that large numbers of iPhone users will be able to send messages to Android users via RCS in the near future.

However, Google is also preparing its Messages app to allow a large number of iPhone users to send messages to Android users via RCS in the near future.

<string name="upgraded_group_label">Upgraded chat</string>
<string name="group_upgrade_popup_title">You've got upgraded chats</string>
<string name="group_upgrade_popup_description">Send sharper photos and videos with reactions - free over wifi. %1$s</string>
<string name="group_upgrade_close_button_icon_description">Close dialog</string>
<string name="group_upgrade_about_rcs_link">About cross-platform RCS chats</string>

In the latest lines of code for the beta version of the Google Messages app, an indication has been found that the app will upgrade existing group chats between iOS and Android users to RCS. Previously, such group chats used the MMS protocol. This process is likely to be automatic.

Address.

An analysis of the APK by Android Authority found two key flags:

• bugle.enable_mms_group_upgrade_ui_home_screen
• bugle.enable_mms_group_upgrade_ui_conversation_screen

These flags will reportedly be responsible for informing users that some of their group chats have been automatically updated to RCS, with a pop-up message: «Your chats have been updated», and that they can now «send clearer photos and videos of reactions – for free over Wi-Fi» in the group chat.

And that they can now «send clearer photos and videos of reactions – for free over Wi-Fi» in group chat.

The exact launch date for the feature is still unknown, but we can expect it to be ready for widespread use before Apple’s planned September 2024 RCS rollout deadline.

An exact date for the feature is still unknown, but we can expect it to be ready for widespread use before Apple’s planned September 2024 deadline.