Google has been campaigning for years to replace SMS with RCS technology, which allows you to benefit from advanced messaging features. And in 2024, the firm won a big victory, since Apple finally decided to support this technology on iOS 18. Thanks to RCS, it is possible to communicate between iPhone and Android smartphones, without using SMS (too limited) nor by third-party applications such as WhatsApp.
However, the implementation of RCS on iPhone is different from that of Google. While Google created its own RCS server to bring this technology to all Android users, the iPhone only supports the technology if it is offered by carriers. And, unfortunately, at the time of writing this article, RCS on iPhone is not yet offered by all the main operators in France.
As a reminder, it was SFR which got the ball rolling. Then, in December, Bouygues Telecom and Free also adopted RCS, allowing iPhone users to benefit from this technology. That leaves only Orange, whose customers who use an iPhone must still use SMS to communicate with Android smartphones. But the good news is that Orange also intends to adopt RCS. The operator has indicated to our colleagues at 01net that support for RCS on iPhone will arrive during the first half of 2025. The reason for this delay? Orange would like “offer this service when all customer experience conditions are met and optimal”.
Text messages won’t go away
Although it is a very old technology, SMS is not going to disappear any time soon, despite the existence of a more practical alternative. First of all, as RCS work over the internet, SMS remains a backup option for communicating when the smartphone does not have access to mobile data or WiFi. But besides that, RCS is only available on Android or iOS smartphones. However, there are still millions of people around the world who buy basic phones (old button phones). Otherwise, it should also be remembered that SMS are still very commonly used to verify telephone numbers, when connecting or registering for an online service.
But in any case, the adoption of RCS by Apple and by telephone operators should drastically reduce the use of SMS. However, it is important to note that, for the moment, RCS text messages sent between iPhone and Android smartphones are not end-to-end encrypted. This is also due to an implementation difference between Apple and Google.
- In 2024, Apple finally supported RCS, an improved version of RCS, on the iPhone
- But for RCS to work on the iPhone, the technology must be supported by carriers
- In France, SFR, Bouygues Telecom and Free already allow RCS to be used on iPhone
- And Orange will also offer this functionality in 2025
- Despite the existence of RCS, SMS remains necessary when you do not have internet and for basic telephones
