I have a conversation with my son on my iPhone and it says in the text input area: "Text + RCS." The same conversation on MacOS Messages says "Text + SMS".
Does this mean that MacOS 15 does not support RCS? If so, that's just beyond disappointing.
MacBook Pro 16″, macOS 15.0
RCS (Rich Communication Services) is IP-based, meaning it requires Wi-Fi or cellular data for use. Traditional SMS/MMS messages do not support RCS, as those protocols rely on the carrier's standard text messaging service, which is not internet-based.
How Messages "sync" across Mac and iPhone:
For RCS to work on a Mac, like SMS/MMS, it would require Text Message Forwarding. In addition, the iPhone would need both a phone number (as the unique identifier) and an internet connection (Wi-Fi or cellular data). The iPhone acts as a relay for RCS messages, identifying the sender and receiver using the phone number, and then sending the message over the carrier’s RCS network.
amp68 wrote:
I have a conversation with my son on my iPhone and it says in the text input area: "Text + RCS." The same conversation on MacOS Messages says "Text + SMS".
Does this mean that MacOS 15 does not support RCS? If so, that's just beyond disappointing.
See if there is anything here—
"If you aren’t using iMessage, you can use RCS. RCS text messages can be sent to non-Apple devices as well as another iPhone or another Apple device with Text Message Forwarding turned on. With RCS, you can send texts, high resolution photos and videos, links, and more. RCS also supports delivery and read receipts and typing indicators. RCS messages appear in green text bubbles on your device."
ref: What is the difference between iMessage, RCS, and SMS/ ...
Looks like I need to send a message to someone from each of my devices and then when they read the message, it changes to Text + RCS. I guess that's good.
Now I just need all iOS users to update to iOS 18 so that my group texts switch over to RCS.
What I'd really like is for people to stop using the default messaging apps on their phones and use Telegram, Signal or some other chat app, the way the rest of the planet does.
So the messages app on MacOS does not update until you send a message is what you’re saying? It will then update showing Text - RCS?
I’m also assuming that Text Messaging Forwarding needs to be enabled in the messages settings on the iPhone?
Just sharing some thoughts, I could be an outlier.
1) I personally wouldn't want to use a 3rd party app like WhatsApp or WeChat, these are completely different companies that don't hold the same standard of privacy and protection that Apple does. This is a big part of why I deal with Apples many limited functionality, as I look at it as a step towards privacy for all users.
2) iPhones do fully support end-to-end encryption using iMessage, which I will add existed since 2011, long before WhatApp(2016), Telegram (2013). and WeChat I don't believe uses it.
3) SMS/MMS is far more resilient in America. For someone that likes to enjoy the outdoors and camping, I can for sure send off SMS to people in a lot more places then I can send an iMessage, because all of the platforms require data. They are using a completely different protocol to send a message. So I wouldn't exactly compare these as a direct comparison, as they can serve a different purpose. With the addition of satellite sms though
4) On iPhone it only says when you go to send it how it will do it... but I agree. Would be nice to have a visual indicator as to how the message was sent after it sends (sms/rcs/iMessage) etc...
RCS CAN do encryption, but the carriers in the US may not add encryption to their RCS servers, because RCS messages are subject to lawful inspection with a warrant.
Since Google is not a carrier, their RCS server offers end-to-end encryption if two endpoints are using the Google RCS server.
e2e encryption is not part of the RCS spec. It's an add-on that Google added.
Can't sent texts via macbook pro anymore. Checked all the settings as recommended - does not work. Ridiculous. PS this is the most annoying, changed-all-my-settings-with-no warning, intrusive features, HATE it update apple has done in the 15 years I've been on apple.
I have a similar issue, but doesn't seem like the same issue?
On my Mac (macOS Sonoma 14.7) trying to send a message to 1 android user it just fails. His messages get to me no problem, but I have to reply on my phone. I have so far not had ANY issues texting other android users since updating my phone to 18.0.1 yesterday. on my phone, when I send him messages, it says "Text Message • RCS" and when I send the message from my phone it also fails every time. I then need to tap the exclamation point and select to send it as SMS in order for it to go through.
1 other android user I messaged today still say "Text Message • SMS" but another one I messaged also says "Text Message • RCS" and that one went through fine?
Does this just mean that the person I'm messaging on android doesn't have an RCS compatible phone? I assume it isn't his carrier because if his carrier didn't have it, wouldn't is still say "Text Message • SMS" like for my other android friend?
All that being said, it would be nice if the messages app on my Mac would at least give me the option to send as text message when it fails!
I'm always logged into iCloud too. and I don't have the firewall enabled as I have a hardware firewall. but it doesn't help my phone also having the issue.
but in my case I do think its a setting on my friends phone that he needs to enable it. or his phone can't handle it even though his carrier does.
I just thought of this that I learned about Samsung Android phones. There are TWO ways to message. One is with the native phone app that generally only does SMS. and the other is through a Google Messages app, that needs to have RCS enabled. I was trying to help someone, and they just couldn't understand my instructions. (of course, I'm an Android idiot). And that's when I found out the two messaging apps.
I think you might be failing to realize that we have basically 1 single text platform across the entire country right now “text me”. If we had 5 competing protocols like you use right now - we’d probably have switched like you guys did. But we held on to 1 single experience for so long that we don’t often prefer to have a collection of equal message services or equal important because we don’t need them. Yes many of us use 1 or 2 other apps but those are second priority.
Holy cow this worked!
I am on Ventura (MacOS 13) and texting from my Mac stopped working out of the blue yesterday. I assumed it was a Ventura thing and I was out of luck, but no, MacAttack427 (by far the best MacAttack out there, IMO) saved my bacon.
MacAttack427 thank you! Drinks, coffee, etc on me if you are ever in Seattle!
Updated the iPad. It also says Text + SMS.
Very disappointing if only the iPhone can do RCS.
RCS is cellular only, not wifi.
That's not a sure fire way either. I'm always logged into iCloud it still occasionally fails.
Messages on MacOS 15 not doing RCS
