How to Turn On RCS Messaging on an iPhone

If you text between an iPhone and an Android phone, you may have noticed that messaging has gotten a major upgrade. That upgrade is RCS, or Rich Communication Services.

But, RCS is much more than that! Instead of relying solely on traditional SMS and MMS, RCS can support features such as higher-quality photos and videos, interactive rich content cards, carousel galleries, read receipts, delivery receipts, typing indicators, and messaging over Wi-Fi or cellular data.

The good news is that turning on RCS on an iPhone only takes a few steps.

What Is RCS Messaging?

RCS stands for Rich Communication Services. It is a newer messaging standard designed to improve upon traditional SMS and MMS texting.

When RCS is available, you can enjoy features such as:

Higher-resolution photos and videos
Rich Content Cards
Carousel Gallery
Read receipts
Delivery confirmations
Typing indicators
Better group messaging experiences
Messages sent over Wi-Fi or cellular data
Richer interactions between iPhones and compatible Android devices

RCS conversations on an iPhone still generally appear with green message bubbles, while Apple’s iMessage conversations appear blue.

What Do You Need to Use RCS on an iPhone?

Before turning on RCS, make sure your device and wireless service support it.

What you need:

An iPhone running iOS 18 or later
An active cellular plan
A wireless carrier that supports RCS messaging on iPhone

RCS availability can vary depending on your carrier and region.

How to Check Your iOS Version

Open Settings.
Tap General.
Tap About.
Look for iOS Version.

If your iPhone needs an update, go to:

Settings → General → Software Update

How to Turn On RCS on an iPhone

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Once you’ve confirmed that your iPhone and carrier support RCS, follow these steps:

Step 1: Open Settings

Tap the Settings app on your iPhone.

Step 2: Open Apps

Scroll down and tap Apps.

Step 3: Select Messages

Find and tap Messages.

Step 4: Select RCS Messaging

Scroll through your Messages settings and tap RCS Messaging.

Step 5: Turn On RCS Messaging

Toggle RCS Messaging on.

That’s it.

Your iPhone can now use RCS when communicating with compatible devices and networks. Apple notes that there may be a slight delay after RCS is first enabled before the service becomes active.

Quick path:

Settings → Apps → Messages → RCS Messaging → On

How Do You Know If RCS Is Working?

Open the Messages app and start a conversation with someone using a compatible device.

When RCS is being used, you may see features such as:

Typing indicators
Read receipts
Delivery confirmations
Improved photo and video quality

The conversation can still appear as a green bubble. A green bubble does not automatically mean the message is using old-fashioned SMS. On an iPhone, green messages can be sent using RCS, SMS, or MMS.

Why Don’t I See the RCS Messaging Option?

If RCS Messaging doesn’t appear under your Messages settings, there are several possible reasons.

Your iPhone Needs an Update

Make sure you’re running iOS 18 or later.

Go to:

Settings → General → Software Update

Your Carrier Doesn’t Support RCS

RCS on the iPhone is a carrier-provided service. If your carrier hasn’t enabled RCS for your plan or network, the setting may not appear.

Apple maintains a list of supported carrier features by country and region.

RCS Hasn’t Activated Yet

If you just enabled RCS, give the service some time to activate. Apple states that there can be a slight delay after first turning the feature on.

Check Your Internet Connection

RCS can send messages over Wi-Fi or cellular data. Make sure your iPhone has an active connection. Apple recommends checking your network connection and contacting your carrier if RCS messages still cannot be sent or received.

Can You Turn RCS Off?

Yes.

Go back to:

Settings → Apps → Messages → RCS Messaging

Then switch RCS Messaging off.

If RCS isn’t available, your iPhone may use SMS or MMS when communicating with a non-iMessage recipient.

What Are RCS Business Messages?

RCS isn’t limited to conversations between individuals. It can also create richer communication experiences between businesses and their customers.

Apple provides a separate RCS Business Messages control on supported devices. Users can manage it by going to:

Settings → Apps → Messages → RCS Messaging → RCS Business Messages

For businesses, RCS represents an important evolution beyond traditional business texting.

Instead of relying only on basic text messages, RCS can create more interactive, media-rich mobile conversations.

Why RCS Matters for Businesses Using TXTPass

RCS opens the door to a new generation of business messaging.

While SMS continues to be one of the simplest and most effective ways for businesses to communicate with customers, RCS can expand those conversations with richer content and more interactive experiences.

With TXTPass, businesses can build communication strategies around messaging for use cases such as:

Customer promotions and offers
Event announcements
Appointment communications
Lead nurturing
Customer service
Automated campaigns
Customer engagement
Links and calls to action
Recurring reminders
Personalized outreach

TXTPass is designed around centralized, personalized and automated messaging, including features for contacts, templates, inbound and outbound campaigns, drip campaigns, keywords, appointments and more.

As RCS adoption continues to expand across mobile devices, businesses have an opportunity to combine the immediacy of texting with richer, more engaging customer experiences.

RCS vs. SMS vs. iMessage: What’s the Difference?

iMessage is Apple’s messaging service for communication between compatible Apple devices. These conversations typically appear in blue bubbles.

SMS/MMS are traditional carrier-based text and multimedia messaging technologies.

RCS is a more advanced messaging standard that provides additional features when communicating with supported devices outside of iMessage.

On an iPhone, RCS and SMS/MMS messages generally appear as green bubbles.

Frequently Asked Questions About RCS on iPhone

Does the iPhone support RCS?

Yes. Apple supports RCS messaging on iPhones running iOS 18 or later, provided the user’s cellular carrier also supports RCS on iPhone.

Where is the RCS setting on an iPhone?

Go to:

Settings → Apps → Messages → RCS Messaging

Then turn on RCS Messaging.

Why isn’t RCS showing on my iPhone?

Your carrier may not support RCS on iPhone, your device may need an iOS update, or RCS may not yet be available for your particular plan or region.

Do RCS messages turn blue on an iPhone?

No. RCS messages generally continue to appear as green bubbles. Blue bubbles are associated with Apple’s iMessage service.

Does RCS work over Wi-Fi?

Yes. Apple states that when you’re not using iMessage, RCS messages can be sent over Wi-Fi or cellular-data networks.

Can businesses use RCS?

Yes. Apple supports RCS Business Messages on compatible devices, carriers and services. Users can manage RCS Business Messages separately within their RCS settings.

Get Ready for the Next Generation of Business Messaging

Turning on RCS on your iPhone is simple: