Why is RCS not working between my iPhone running iOS 18 and Android?

This is misleading. Many carriers support RCS that are not supported on iOS 18. Perhaps the carrier has more to do before the updated "bundle" can be submitted to Apple, and maybe Apple just hasn't updated with the bundle yet.

TMARULES wrote:

Send later only works iPhone to iPhone. Apple for some reason wanted to separate iPhone users from their Android friends.

Send Later only works if the receiving non-iPhone supports the correct version of the Google or Samsung Messaging app.

I've tried several Android phones where RCS is working but no send later option. I only get the send later option for other iPhone users. Someone on another iPhone forum said it's iPhone to iPhone only. So, I don't know, just know it's not working for Android even if rcs is working.

Mine isn’t working. I just switched to tmobile from att along with my husband, got the new 16 pro max. We tested RCS messaging with the same android user. For some reason he can send it via RCS but I cannot. I’ve tried everything suggested here but nothing works, I’m lost

I have ATT and just bought the 16 pro max. For some odd reason, it doesn’t support RCS and still says waiting for activation. When I was using my 15 pro max, it supporters it. I wonder what the issue is

That’s bot my issue. My issue is I am on T-Mobile. My RCS is on, but under Carrier, it only slows for SMS and voice and not RCS. Because of that I cannot send an RCS message. I went back and forth between T-Mobile and Apple about fixing it. They are basically pointing fingers. I did try to have my ESIM deleted and a new installed to see if it would fix the problem and that didn’t work either. So nothing is getting resolved.

In the US RCS works on all Android phones made this decade, even prepaid budget android phones that are under $100 on Amazon. Any android phone running Android 5 or later is capable of RCS messaging according to the Android documentation. The small number of people who may lack access to RCS on their android are restricted by their carrier not the phone, but all major US carriers support RCS now. Some smaller cell carriers were slow to adopt it at first but at this point I cant find anything online regarding a carrier that still doesn't support it .

Same here. Worked fine until yesterday in our group chat and now ‘Text Message - RCS’ went to ‘iMessage’ except if the Android user sends something then it allowed RCS for about two - three texts and went right back to iMessage. We all show RCS on our phones and carriers and have done the rests, turn off/on, etc…..suggestions. Hopefully there is a fix soon.

Thedevilsbait wrote:

In the US RCS works on all Android phones made this decade, even prepaid budget android phones that are under $100 on Amazon. Any android phone running Android 5 or later is capable of RCS messaging according to the Android documentation. The small number of people who may lack access to RCS on their android are restricted by their carrier not the phone, but all major US carriers support RCS now. Some smaller cell carriers were slow to adopt it at first but at this point I cant find anything online regarding a carrier that still doesn't support it .

You are missing the fact that NO version of Android supports RCS natively. You need an RCS compatible add-on messaging app such as Google Messages or Samsung Messages.

I have KT (South Korean cell service and states it supports RCS). I’ve restarted my phone and restarted network settings and still no luck. Could say it’s expected since IOS18 just rolled out but something tells me apple may be a little salty about this. Hopefully it patches up in 18.1 I would really love to add my dad to the family group chat 🥲

I have an iPhone 12 and it was working but as of today (9/23/24) it’s stopped . I’ve rebooted my phone and I’ve turned it off and then back on. Little earlier the text rcs was flickering between rcs and sms in the section you text in.

iOS 18 update here too on an iPhone 15 pro max only 2 contacts that have android show RCS in text. The rest show “Text Message•SMS”. Very frustrating. I have tried switching to airplane mode and turning the RCS on and off and restarting the phone, I’ve tried doing it out of airplane mode. Everyone I know has the same model android (Samsung S22) and we are all on Verizon Wireless which is supposedly compatible. It’s very frustrating and annoying. This was the one update I was waiting for and it doesn’t work

Go to settings > General > About, and tap on Carrier under ESIM. This will show IMS Status. When RCS was working, it said Voice, SMS, & RCS. Right now it says Voice & SMS. I was able to go to Settings > General > Transfer or Reset iPhone > Reset and Reset Network Settings. This forced my phone to connect to everything and that included RCS. It stayed connected for a day or two and then disconnected again. It's annoying because all of my other Apple devices popped notifications about a new device connected.

I don't know if the problem is a T-Mobile problem or an Apple problem. I just wish someone would fix it because having to reset my network settings every day or two is not the answer.

So my RCS messages work between my wife's android and my iphone that is on cricket. I think both phone have to be on the same carrier. They do not work between my work phone that's on Verizon and my cricket phone.

michelleb19 wrote:

Clearly there are bugs. I hope apple fixes them asap because meanwhile I’m fuming that my husband/kids aren’t replying to me, when all the while my phone is the issue. I have no way of knowing which scenario is correct (because they can’t call me, either, and I’m completely unaware.) Ask any mom of driving teenagers - it is not good when they can’t reach you if there’s an emergency.

Why are you assuming the bugs are Apple’s? There are at least 4 parties involved, and maybe more; Apple, your carrier, your phone manufacturer, and the messaging app that supports RCS (Android requires a separate messaging app for RCS, it does not support RCS natively). And if you have Wi-Fi calling, also your internet provider.

Have you tried troubleshooting? For example, do you have a problem when on Wi-Fi, or when on your cellular network? 4G/LTE or 5G cellular? What about signal strength? Are the problems related to your location or the location of the other parties?