With RCS on iOS, you’ll get major improvements like high-resolution media, typing indicators, and read receipts when you’re texting with people on other phones that also support RCS. In its iOS 18 press release, Apple also highlights support for “more reliable group messaging compared to SMS and MMS.”

Apple made chats better with green bubble friends. They still stink. Starting Monday with the release of iOS 18, Apple is overhauling the iPhone messaging app to make your chats better in mixed company — when at least one Android phone user is involved.

On iPhone, head to Settings > Apps > Messages > RCS Messaging, and slide the toggle to On . Most modern Android phones have RCS enabled by default, but to be sure, head to the Google Messages app, tap on your profile picture, scroll down to the Messages Settings section, and tap the RCS chats tab to find a similar toggle.

There’s read receipts, better group chats, and the little wiggles of validation. We have to accept iPhone and Android users will be separate.

Apple publicly launched the iOS 18 update on Monday, and iMessages saw massive improvements, particularly in chats with Android users.