For years, Google has been trying to get Apple to eventually support Rich Communication Services (RCS), the successor to SMS. With iOS 18, released in September, the time has come: the messaging app on the iPhone can communicate not only through iMessage and Short Message Service, but also through RCS. Problem: The service just doesn’t work; Mobile phone providers must support it. And unfortunately that’s not the case across the board yet – not even in Germany.
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No problem on Android, but need to solve for iPhone
What’s confusing is that this doesn’t apply to Android, where you need a reasonably modern cell phone to start typing in the Google Messages app via RCS. But iPhone requires specific carrier settings. These have already been shipped to devices by Telecom, Vodafone and O2/Telefónica. However, anyone who has a contract with the fourth and newest provider, 1&1 AG, will be disappointed: there is no support till date“We are already working on a solution for iOS users so that the RCS function will be available as soon as possible,” the website says. However, no information has been given at present regarding the timing of this work. The question of what the specific problem was initially remained unanswered.
To check which mobile phones support RCS, Apple has its own website installedWhich names the different features provided by the carrier. In Germany, “RCS messaging” is only listed for the carriers mentioned, missing 1&1. But RCS is not always offered in other countries either. In the worst case, you may lose contact while roaming and fall back to SMS. Furthermore, Apple officially lists only Telecom, Vodafone and O2/Telefonica for Germany. prepaid provider and MVNO Some offer their own carrier settings. As long as the network operator is one of the three major mobile operators, RCS should work in theory, although this is more often the case with individual companies. Confusion between their support departments Gives. So it’s best to check with your provider to make sure.
RCS still uncertain
RCS offers a lot of benefits compared to SMS. You can send audio messages, view read receipts, send pictures and videos in high resolution, see indicators when the communication partner is typing, and see emoji reactions (even if not on the media). .
However, RCS on the iPhone is still insecure: unlike iMessage, there is no end-to-end encryption. This means that the carrier (or someone who might be spying on the network, such as a secret service) can at least theoretically read what you type. You should be able to see if RCS is working under “General”, “About” and “Network Providers” in iPhone System Settings by tapping on “Network Providers”. However, this information is not reliable at the moment: “RCS” appeared here on 1&1 iPhone, although there is no official support.
(B.Sc.)
