iOS 18.4 Brings RCS Support to Google Fi, Mint Mobile and Other T-Mobile MVNOs

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The second beta of iOS 18.4 expands RCS messaging support to more carriers in the United States and other countries, according to multiple reports on Reddit, the MacRumors forums, and other social media sites.

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After installing iOS 18.4, iPhone users with Mint Mobile, Google Fi, Ultra Mobile, Tello, and US Mobile are able to toggle on RCS messaging, and the functionality appears to be rolling out for all T-Mobile Mobile Virtual Network Operators (MVNOs).

‌iPhone‌ users with a T-Mobile MVNO can be enabled through the Messages section of the Settings app. It appears that ‌RCS‌ access is only available for those running the second iOS 18.4 developer beta, not the public beta.

In France, Orange and Sosh also have ‌RCS‌ available with iOS 18.4 beta 2, according to iPhoneSoft, so ‌RCS‌ may also be rolling out worldwide for other carriers.

‌RCS‌ was enabled for major carriers with the launch of iOS 18, and it stands for Rich Communication Services. ‌RCS‌ is a communication protocol that improves messaging between ‌iPhone‌ and Android users, offering support for higher resolution photos and videos, larger file sizes, audio messages, Wi-Fi messaging, real-time typing indicators, read receipts, and more.

Related Roundups: iOS 18, iPadOS 18
Tag: RCS Guide
Related Forums: iOS 18, iPadOS 18

Top Rated Comments

swrobel Avatar
swrobel
2 weeks ago
No idea why this requires an iOS update to enable, but here we are...
Score: 8 Votes (Like | Disagree)
coolfactor Avatar
coolfactor
2 weeks ago

It makes me feel like maybe I’m not alone see how many issues other people are having using RCS. Group chats with android users keep splitting for me, I have 3 of the same group chat split out and random people responding to each one. It’s been a mess so far. Definitely was one of the biggest features I was looking forward to on iOS 18.
Now you can see why Apple proceeded cautiously with implementing RCS support. The protocol is a mess. Hopefully Apple's involvement will bring improvements.
Score: 6 Votes (Like | Disagree)
sw1tcher Avatar
sw1tcher
2 weeks ago
iOS 18.4 Brings RCS Support to Google Fi, Mint Mobile and Other T-Mobile MVNOs

After installing iOS 18.4, iPhone users with Mint Mobile, Google Fi, Ultra Mobile, Tello, and US Mobile are able to toggle on RCS messaging, and the functionality appears to be rolling out for all T-Mobile Mobile Virtual Network Operators (MVNOs).

It appears that RCS access is only available for those running the second iOS 18.4 developer beta, not the public beta.
This isn't new. I have Mint Mobile and I already have RCS toggled on with iOS 18.3.1
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)
mazz0 Avatar
mazz0
2 weeks ago
Why would this be tied to OS versions? RCS is standard, doesn’t seem to make sense that Apple would need to make network-specific OS changes.
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)
segfaultdotorg Avatar
segfaultdotorg
2 weeks ago
Tim Apple,

Please make the RCS messages blue, or we'll sue for discrimination because minorities are more likely to have an Android device.

Sincerely,
America's Class Action Attorneys (TM)
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)
applefan8254 Avatar
applefan8254
2 weeks ago

Wouldn't that be nice! I mean were SIM cards THAT bad?
Yes please. I don't mind the idea of esims per se. I just wish hot swapping was more normalized. Apple has a built in method to do it for some carriers, but I wish it would come to all (especially mint please ?)
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)
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