Apple’s iMessage and Messages app in iOS 18 are set to see some major updates, and the most notable ones are the ability to schedule messages and support for RCS, the next-gen messaging standard. These updates, available in the public beta of iOS 18, have the potential to transform everyday communication.
For years, users have been demanding the ability to schedule messages, leading developers to create complicated workarounds. With the new iOS, scheduling messages will become a built-in feature, eliminating the need for third-party apps or jailbroken iPhones. This feature will be particularly useful for people who run businesses from their iPhones or those who remember important texts in the middle of the night. It will also allow users to send messages across different time zones without disturbing the recipient. Apple’s screenshot even suggests that the scheduling feature can be used to ensure birthday greetings are never forgotten.
Another significant update is the support for RCS, which aims to address the issues faced when texting Android users. Google has long urged Apple to adopt this standard, as it would greatly improve communication between Android and iOS users. The lack of support for RCS on Apple devices meant no typing indicators, read receipts, broken group chats, or end-to-end encryption for messages sent to Android users. However, Apple has finally listened to this demand and has decided to support RCS later this year.
Although RCS support will not change the green bubble appearance of messages sent from Android devices on Apple devices, it will resolve many other issues. Apple’s decision to support RCS may have been influenced by EU regulators’ scrutiny and U.S. lawmakers’ interest in the interoperability of messaging services. While there was no mention of end-to-end encryption in Apple’s announcement of RCS, earlier reports suggest that Apple intends to work on adding this feature in the future.
Overall, these updates to iMessage and the Messages app have been long-awaited by users and will greatly enhance the messaging experience on iOS devices. The ability to schedule messages and the support for RCS will make communication more convenient, efficient, and reliable. As Apple continues to evolve its messaging platform, users can expect further improvements in the future.