Apple to Add RCS Support to iMessage, But Blue and Green Bubbles Will Stay

Apple made a surprising announcement recently, revealing plans to add RCS support to its iMessage app. This move is expected to improve texting between iPhone users and Androids.

However, it’s important to note that this update will not change the way the Messages app works on iPhone. iMessage text will still be sent over the internet with end-to-end encryption. RCS messages, on the other hand, will appear in green on iPhone, differentiating them from iMessage and standard SMS/MMS. It’s worth mentioning that RCS texts will not be encrypted.

Blue and Green Bubbles Will Continue to Exist

While some may argue that Apple’s adoption of RCS is a victory for Google and Samsung, as they campaigned against the blue vs. green chat bubble differentiation in iMessage, the bubbles will remain. According to Apple, the color difference will still apply. The key detail here is that Apple is embracing the GSMA-developed RCS standard, not Google’s encrypted RCS experience.

Why the Change of Mind?

Apple’s decision to integrate RCS support may be an attempt to appease regulators, particularly in Europe, where iMessage is under investigation. The EU aims to determine whether iMessage should be classified as a gatekeeper in the region. Google and major European carriers have already requested such categorization. Apple’s compliance could potentially require iMessage to work with competing services for interoperability.

What Will Google Do Next?

Google could continue its campaign, as Apple does not support Google’s proprietary RCS version. It will be interesting to see if RCS on iPhones will eventually receive encryption support. However, advocating for Google’s RCS system could prove challenging. For now, Google has expressed satisfaction with Apple adopting RCS and plans to collaborate with them to implement it on iOS.

Overall, while RCS support may not greatly benefit Google, those who switch from Android to iPhone have various reasons beyond iMessage functionality. People deserve modern and secure communication, regardless of their phone choice.