With iOS 18, Apple introduced support for RCS messaging, a new protocol that enhances the texting experience between iPhone and Android users. Unlike SMS, you can see read/delivered receipts, send larger files, and have typing indicators, features that were previously missing. At first, only the big three carriers supported RCS messaging. Since then, a lot more have joined in on the fun.
This list is based on information directly from Apple, and will be updated as new carriers are added.
Supported carriers:
- AT&T
- Boost Mobile (requires iOS 18.2)
- C Spire
- Consumer Cellular
- Cricket
- FirstNet
- H20 Wireless
- Metro by T-Mobile
- PureTalk
- Red Pocket
- Spectrum Mobile
- T-Mobile
- TracFone / Straight Talk
- US Cellular
- Verizon
- Visible
- Xfinity Mobile
This is obviously far more than what we had at launch, which was primarily just AT&T, Verizon, and T-Mobile. There’s a lot more support from MVNOs (mobile virtual network operators, ie small carriers) – but it still isn’t very complete.
Some notable exceptions from the list are Mint Mobile and Ultra Mobile, which have around 3 million subscribers in the US.
Mint Mobile and Ultra Mobile are particularly interesting because they were both acquired by T-Mobile earlier this year, but seemingly T-Mobile hasn’t yet gotten around to supporting the feature on its new sub-brands.
Have you gotten to use RCS messaging with iOS 18 yet? What do you think about it? Let us know in the comments below.
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