Setting up RCS on iPhone 15

You'll need to update your iPhone to iOS 18.

Then go Settings > Apps > Messages >  RCS Messaging 

Already updated to iOS 18. It is not showing. 

I am wondering if you need iCloud enabled as well to use it? I Messages in Icloud turned off on my iPhone 15.

Hi there,

so it’s actually supposed to be separate from Apples IMessage settings. When you go to settings → scroll down to apps → then find “Messages”, tap that and scroll down past IMessage. Do you see something similar in the image below? As it should be automatically included in the update. If you do, just tap RCS messaging and then turn it on 🙂 be mindful though that this feature will only work if you have a wifi or data connection similar to iMessage.

This iscwhat my iPhone shows

Hmm from what I can gather it’s based on your phones region and if your carrier currently supports it as it is gradually becoming available to carriers. In that case I would check the region first just in case. So settings → general → language and region and make sure it says Canada. If that’s not the case and it is carrier based, are you a Koodo postpaid or prepaid customer? As I have postpaid and received the feature, but this may not be available on prepaid as of yet.

Here is what Apple has to say about RCS.

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.

Apple’s implementation of RCS is based on the industry’s standard. RCS messages aren’t end-to-end encrypted, which means they're not protected from a third-party reading them while they're sent between devices.

RCS is a carrier-provided service. When your device connects to your cellular network, it communicates with your carrier and their partners to set up RCS. User identifiers are exchanged for your carrier and their partners to authenticate your device and provide a connection. These identifiers could include but are not limited to your IMEI, IMSI, current IP address, and phone number. Your current IP address might also be shared with other RCS users.

To use RCS, you need iOS 18 and a text-messaging plan from a carrier that supports RCS on iPhone. Contact your wireless carrier for more information.

To turn RCS on or off, go to Settings > Apps > Messages > RCS Messaging.

If you aren’t using iMessage or RCS, you can use SMS/MMS. SMS and MMS 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 SMS/MMS, you can send texts, photos and videos, links, and more. SMS/MMS messages appear in green text bubbles on your device.

SMS/MMS messages aren’t end-to-end encrypted, which means they're not protected from a third-party reading them while they're sent between devices.

SMS and MMS are carrier-provided services. When your device connects to your cellular network, it communicates with your carrier. User identifiers are exchanged for your carrier to authenticate your device. These identifiers could include but are not limited to your IMEI, IMSI, current IP address, and phone number.

To use SMS/MMS on an iPhone, you need a text-messaging plan that supports these services. Contact your wireless carrier for more information.

I have a callback secduled  with Koodo for tomorrow

Living in the Fraser Valley and have been with Koodo since 2020

Found it finally in Apple Documentation.

If you haven’t turned on Messages in iCloud, you can set up your iPhone so that when you send or receive an SMS, MMS, or RCS message, it appears on your other Apple devices.

This is what I see in my iPhone 15 Settings.

Are you sure your iOS is up to date?

Oh ya, but  like I mentioned above is that you need iCloud enabled. Correct me if I'm am wrong.

That doesn't sound right to me.  But I do have cloud enabled already by default.

However, when you enabled iCloud, did you get the RCS option to show up or work?

Well the way I look at it, it’s going to be a boom for Apple if you have to use iCloud to use RCS. Peoples data will grow expodtionally and they’ll have to buy more space and subsequently padding Apple bottom line.

Did you try to enable icloud to see if it works?

Not yet.  I am trying to get rid of some old crap on iCloud that was taking up room from Messages from using Forever rather than 30 days.

Alrighty.  Let us know if the enabling icloud works.

I will.

Finally found what I was looking for on Apple Documentation

I haven’t turn it on yet.

1. Tap <, then tap Text Message Forwarding.

   Note: If you don’t see Text Message Forwarding, make sure you’re signed in to the same Apple Account on both your iPhone and your Mac.

So yes you have to be signed into iCloud to use, RCS. This should be a boom for Apple since peoples data is going to fill up since you can send attachments up to 100MB’s.