RCS has been a hot topic in the messaging space for years.
Recently though, the spotlight has grown even brighter after Apple RCS support was introduced as part of its iOS 18 update.
But what does all this mean for you and your organisation?
This guide will break down what RCS actually is, what Apple’s seat at the table means, and how your organisation can start using it to better connect with the people you serve.
RCS On iPhone: Where Things Stand
Apple RCS messaging arrived with iOS 18, putting an end to years of speculation about when iPhone would join the RCS ecosystem.
The move gave Apple a seat at the table in shaping the future of mobile messaging and means organisations can now reach both iPhone and Android users with the same advanced standard.
As you’ll soon learn, this doesn’t mean iPhone RCS messaging is currently available everywhere, but the bottom line is that Apple RCS messaging provides a huge opportunity for enterprise and government organisations.
Let’s explore why…
What Is RCS?
RCS (Rich Communication Services) is a carrier messaging standard that extends SMS and MMS.
It enables feature-rich messaging to provide more immersive messaging experiences and runs over mobile data or Wi-Fi to deliver messages through the phone’s native messaging app.
Unlike apps such as WhatsApp or Messenger, RCS is built into the mobile network itself. This means businesses can reach customers in the same inbox they already use for SMS, with automatic fallback to SMS or MMS when RCS isn’t available.
What Changes On iPhone?
With iOS 18, iPhone users can now access RCS messaging directly in the Messages app. Because RCS sits alongside iMessage and SMS in the same inbox, the experience feels familiar, users don’t need to download or learn a new app.
The difference is what happens behind the scenes: if RCS is supported by the carrier and enabled on the device, the thread will switch to RCS automatically. When RCS isn’t available, Messages falls back to SMS or MMS so the conversation continues without interruption.
This allows businesses to start using RCS with iPhone audiences, while still relying on SMS as the universal baseline for reach.
Security And Privacy
For enterprise and government organisations, security and sender trust are critical. RCS on iPhone introduces stronger protections than SMS alone, but the details matter.
Transport Security
RCS supports encryption between the device and the network, giving an extra layer of protection compared to SMS.
But it isn’t always end-to-end, and behaviour can vary depending on carrier and client version.
Teams should validate how encryption works on their target iOS versions, carriers and devices before sending anything sensitive.
Identity and Trust Signals
From an enterprise messaging standpoint, one of RCS’s most valuable additions is verified business profiles.
Messages can display a brand name, logo and colours directly in the thread header, reducing the risk of spoofing.
Compared with SMS short codes or alphanumeric IDs, this creates stronger visual trust and will help you reinforce recognition over time.
Reach And Availability
From an enterprise messaging perspective, reach is just as important as features, because if a message doesn’t reach its intended destination, the rest doesn’t matter.
RCS on iPhone works only when three conditions are met: the user has a compatible device running iOS 18 or later, the carrier supports RCS, and the phone has an active data connection.
If any of those links are missing, Messages falls back to SMS or MMS automatically.
Coverage
In practice, gaps still exist.
A customer might be on an older iPhone, travelling through areas with patchy data, or with a carrier that hasn’t switched on RCS yet.
That’s why SMS remains the universal baseline.
It ensures your messages always reach customers, even when RCS isn’t supported.
Message Experience
RCS on iPhone changes what a conversation looks like in the Messages app. Instead of plain text, customers can see and interact with content directly inside the thread.
Core Features
From a user’s point of view, RCS unlocks:
- Verified business branding with logos, colours and display names shown in the thread
- High-resolution images and video that appear clearly without compression
- Cards and carousels where they can swipe through multiple options in one place
- Suggested replies and actions to tap instead of typing out a response
- Read receipts to show when a message has been opened
Imagine a support interaction where a customer receives a short how-to video in the thread, followed by quick-reply buttons like “Problem fixed” or “Still need help”.
Instead of going back and forth over several messages, the issue is resolved in just a couple of automated steps.
Delivery And Reliability
We’ve looked at some of the key features of iPhone RCS messaging, now let’s turn to the actual process of a message being sent, how quickly it arrives, and how reliable it is in practice.
Performance Characteristics
RCS messages on iPhone typically arrive within seconds when the user is online.
If data drops, Messages retries once the connection is restored.
Where RCS isn’t supported, the system falls back to SMS or MMS so time-critical updates like authentication codes or service alerts are still delivered without delay.
Receipts and Telemetry
For enterprises, one of the biggest advantages of RCS is the visibility it provides.
Messages can return sent, delivered and read events, offering far more insight than SMS.
Because granularity can vary by carrier and client, organisations should define how these states are tracked and displayed in dashboards.
Consistent reporting allows teams to monitor performance in near real time and act quickly if delivery issues emerge.
Common Use Cases
RCS on iPhone opens up new ways for organisations to interact with customers. Here are three common use cases that can be adapted without rewriting your existing flows.
Marketing Campaigns
RCS makes marketing messages more engaging by adding rich visuals, carousels and branded sender profiles.
Instead of a plain SMS with a link, customers see products, offers or event details directly in their inbox, and can tap a button like Shop now to act immediately.
Guided Customer Care
Support interactions become faster when customers can share photos or watch short clips in the thread.
Suggested reply buttons like Problem fixed or Still need help cut down on back-and-forth and reduce transfers to agents.
Authentication and Step-Ups
RCS can deliver deep links that guide users into secure app flows when extra interaction is needed.
One-time passcodes should remain on SMS to ensure they reach every customer, but RCS can complement them with branded, interactive follow-ups.
Order Updates and Changes
Customers can receive a status card with options to confirm a delivery window, tweak an address or approve a substitution.
If RCS isn’t supported, the update continues over SMS so the flow doesn’t break.
Choosing the Right Mix
When planning campaigns, weigh four things: urgency, audience support for RCS on iPhone in your markets, the need for rich media or guided actions, and consent status.
The smart approach is simple, use RCS where supported for richer engagement, and let SMS automatically take over when reach and reliability matter most.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does RCS on iPhone replace SMS?
No. SMS remains the universal baseline, with RCS adding richer features where supported.
Is RCS on iPhone end-to-end encrypted?
Not universally. Encryption is device-to-network; check carrier and client behaviour.
Will our short codes or sender IDs change?
No. Businesses use verified RCS profiles, which display brand name and logo instead.
How do delivery receipts differ?
RCS includes sent, delivered and read states. SMS does not provide read receipts.
What happens to media during fallback?
Messages switch to SMS or MMS; rich media may be compressed or replaced with links.
How does this affect OTP and 2FA?
OTP should stay on SMS for maximum reach. RCS can add branded, interactive context.
Can iPhone users message our RCS business entry from day one?
Only in regions and networks where RCS is enabled. Otherwise, conversations default to SMS.
Send RCS Messaging with Soprano
With Soprano’s platform, you can launch RCS messaging campaigns that reach both iPhone and Android users. And because SMS remains universal, our platform automatically falls back to SMS messaging when RCS isn’t supported, giving you reach and reliability without compromise.
Speak With an Expert
Want to explore how RCS on iPhone can fit into your communication strategy? Speak with one of Soprano’s messaging experts today and start planning your rollout.
