Apple announces major change coming to iPhone messages

  • Apple is calling an end to the war of green vs blue text bubbles
  • The company will soon implement RCS messaging
  • This will make texting between Androids and iPhones far easier

Published on Nov 21, 2023 at 1:35 PM (UTC+4)
by Andie Reeves

Last updated on Nov 21, 2023 at 5:21 PM (UTC+4)
Edited by Adam Gray

Apple announces major change coming to iPhone messages

Apple is calling an end to the war of green vs blue text bubbles.

The tech giant is notoriously difficult when it comes to working with technology not made by them.

But recently there have been some major changes at Apple HQ.

READ MORE! Fans perplexed over ‘new’ iPhone 15 feature that Android has had for years

First, it started using USB-C charging ports.

Now, the company is making a big change to its messaging system.

And it won’t only affect iPhone users.

Apple will soon be implementing Rich Communication Services (RCS) messaging.

All phones, regardless of manufacturer, offer SMS and MMS functions.

RCS is a consolidated form of these functions, that resolves issues like character limits and file size restrictions.

It also offers read receipts, typing indicators and group chats.

But Apple likes to do things its own way and has so far refused to use RCS.

This is why when iPhone users communicate with Androids it feels like they’re communicating with their granny on her Nokia 3310.

After years of iPhone users ridiculing their green bubble counterparts, Apple has made an announcement to end the feud.

The company will start to use RCS from late next year.

“We believe RCS Universal Profile will offer a better interoperability experience when compared to SMS or MMS,” a spokesperson said.

Currently, sending photos and videos between Androids and iPhones significantly decreases the media’s quality.

Users are also unable to tell when someone is typing or view read receipts.

After next year’s update, messaging between phone models will be far more seamless.

It’s unclear whether the text bubbles will change color though.

This is quite an unexpected move from CEO Tim Cook who has been unsympathetic towards non-iPhone users in the past.

Last year a reporter noted they had difficulty communicating with their mom who had an Android.

“Buy your mom an iPhone,” Cook replied.

# Tags - Apple, Tech, Tech News


user

Andie Reeves

Andie is a content writer from South Africa with a background in broadcasting and journalism. Starting her career in the glossy pages of Cosmopolitan and Marie Claire, Andie has a broad portfolio, covering everything from sustainability solutions to celebrity car collections. When not at her laptop Andie can be found sewing, recording her podcast, taking board games too seriously or road-tripping in her bright green Kia.