RCS supported carriers

[Premium1]

So...hold up. I want to see if I'm reading this wrong. No support for RCS outside of the US? Or no support for RCS *on Apple devices yet* outside of the US?

If the latter, I can understand that. But if the former....this kind of contradicts Google's entire argument for how Apple's lack of RCS support was hamstringing people texting between Apple/Google devices.

It all depends on if the carrier supports it or not. The ones who support it so far show up in B2. I am sure others will hop on board since they don't want to be left behind or get negative press.

 

[dk001]

Enlighten me this a little bit. As far as I know, RCS messaging on Android relies on Google Messaging, which runs on Google Jibe.

Is Apple create their own RCS server? How does Apple RCS server talk to Google Jibe?

I am not up to the details on how Apple is implementing this. I suspect they have their own hub. As far as I know Apple is not using Google’s version of RCS, hence no E2EE. It does work as Apple is using standard GSMA RCS version.

These may help.

 

[dk001]

Apple tells carriers to provide RCS server details, they run nothing.

Only the big 3 provided RCS details (all provided endpoints that redirect traffic to Jibe, so iPhone users also text via Jibe).

If your carrier does not provide RCS server details to Apple, you wont get RCS.

I reached out to Mint Mobile (they run on T Mobile network). Mint indicated they are looking at this but they have to work with TMo to have it implemented for Mint users. We will see it, just no date as of yet.
Likely not time iOS 18 release.

 

[gwhizkids]

Apple tells carriers to provide RCS server details, they run nothing.

Only the big 3 provided RCS details (all provided endpoints that redirect traffic to Jibe, so iPhone users also text via Jibe).

If your carrier does not provide RCS server details to Apple, you wont get RCS.

And an important point is that this feature is still in beta and has been available for five days. Apple may well have asked the MVNOs to hold off as they ramp this up.

Patience!

 

[dk001]

Good on how it is working…

 

[tehabe]

Enlighten me this a little bit. As far as I know, RCS messaging on Android relies on Google Messaging, which runs on Google Jibe.

Like SMS or MMS, RCS is provided by the mobile carriers, those can of course outsource this to other companies, Google offers this. Apple could do the same.

 

[TimFL1]

Any changes to supported carriers in Beta 3?

 

[outlawarth]

Any changes to supported carriers in Beta 3?

The RCS settings showed up for me here in Canada (Telus) in Beta 3. They were not there in Beta 2.

 

[Cchase88754321]

I now have RCS on cricket wireless (AT&T MVNO) on beta 3!

 

[Yun0]

bell in canada has the option now

 

[chrisdazzo]

I now have RCS on cricket wireless (AT&T MVNO) on beta 3!

Fingers crossed for Mint to follow shortly.

 

[ProbablyDylan]

Interesting the MVNOs are now getting support. Unsurprisingly, still nothing for Google Fi, likely due to the lack of a carrier bundle.

 

[thesheleys]

I now have the RCS option on FirstNet (US)

 

[Cchase88754321]

The settings for RCS are there, it just hasn’t kicked in. Or idk if it has. I don’t know anyone’s RCS status lol

 

[Aoligei]

Anyone can test if RCS toggle for Freedom Mobile?

 

[Paddle1]

Not seeing RCS on my Canadian MVNO.

 

[dk001]

Mint Mobile RCS is still not an option in Settings. 15ProMax

 

[Premium1]

More likely this bad experience will just cause iPhone users to have to leave MVNOs like Mint and Visible for more pricey plans. Apple has never been good about supporting US carriers outside of the big 3. You can't use an MVNO on an iPad or Apple Watch. You can't do the iPhone upgrade program either. And you usually can't do eSIM during setup or transfer your eSIM.

I doubt anyone is going to leave their carrier because they are sending sms instead of RCS messages...

 

[radioactive]

Enable toggle shows up in b3 for Fraenk (sister brand of Congstar in Germany), using the Deutsche Telekom profile, but the carrier status still show the IMS Status as Voice & SMS.

 

[TimFL1]

Enable toggle shows up in b3 for Fraenk (sister brand of Congstar in Germany), using the Deutsche Telekom profile, but the carrier status still show the IMS Status as Voice & SMS.

This is exciting news… maybe I hop on the Beta to check out if it works with Telekom.

 

[gwhizkids]

The settings for RCS are there, it just hasn’t kicked in. Or idk if it has. I don’t know anyone’s RCS status lol

Text someone on Android. That should kick start things for you

 

[gwhizkids]

More likely this bad experience will just cause iPhone users to have to leave MVNOs like Mint and Visible for more pricey plans. Apple has never been good about supporting US carriers outside of the big 3. You can't use an MVNO on an iPad or Apple Watch. You can't do the iPhone upgrade program either. And you usually can't do eSIM during setup or transfer your eSIM.

This “bad experience” as you put it is during a beta. Sheesh.

And most people are on MVNOs for price, which is a good reason. But there are sacrifices that come with that.

 

[dk001]

I doubt anyone is going to leave their carrier because they are sending sms instead of RCS messages...

For me, TMobile bought Mint Mobile and we (customers) have yet to see what effect this will have.

 

[yeahtyeaht]

Enable toggle shows up in b3 for Fraenk (sister brand of Congstar in Germany), using the Deutsche Telekom profile, but the carrier status still show the IMS Status as Voice & SMS.

Works with O2 Germany too

 

[DeanL]

Anyone can test if RCS toggle for Freedom Mobile?

Yep it's there!!