Why Apple Downplayed RCS Messaging at WWDC - What's the Reason Behind Their Decision?

Tech & AI | June 11, 2024, 5:13 p.m.

iOS 18 will introduce support for RCS messaging on iPhones, enhancing texting quality between iOS and Android users. Apple's minimal mention of RCS at WWDC suggests a lack of enthusiasm as it still prioritizes iMessage. The RCS Universal Profile will enable improved messaging experiences for Android users when texting iPhone users, though Apple is not replacing iMessage with RCS. Features like message reactions and read receipts will likely be included, but details on RCS implementation in iOS 18 remain unclear. Despite potential benefits, Apple's focus on advancing iMessage features over RCS indicates a preference for its proprietary service. The introduction of RCS aims to address technical limitations but may not eliminate the perceived stigma of non-iMessage texts. Overall, Apple's subtle handling of RCS at WWDC underscores its commitment to iMessage as the primary messaging platform for iPhone users.