Apple's Latest iOS 18 Brings RCS messaging standard for a seamless cross-platform messaging experience. This brand new addition lets you enjoy better group chats and share high-resolution media with your Android friends. Stable version of iOS 18Apple is rolling out RCS support in many countries around the world. If RCS is not working on your iPhone, you need to check a few basic things and change a few settings. Once you fix them, you should be absolutely fine. Read on to learn how to fix RCS not working issue on iOS 18.
Method 1: Check RCS availability in your area
If you cannot use RCS on your iPhone, you should first check if this iOS 18 feature is available in your country. However, RCS is available on your iPhone. All iOS 18 compatible devices, It is not available in all countries around the world. As of now, RCS is only available on iPhones. US, Canada and some European countries. If you live outside these regions, you can’t enable RCS on your iPhone.
Method 2: Check if your carrier supports RCS
If RCS is not working for you, your carrier might not support the feature. Even though Apple's iOS 18 brings RCS support to your iPhone, your network carrier needs to activate the feature. While most network carriers in the US support RCS, some haven't worked on it yet. Major carriers like Verizon, AT&T, T-Mobile, US Cellular, Xfinity support RCS for iPhones. You can check it out Apple Support Visit this page to find out if your wireless carrier supports RCS messaging.
Alternatively, there is an easier way to check the availability of RCS on your iPhone. You need to:
- On your iPhone, go to Settings -> General -> About.
- tap here IMS Status Click under the carrier to view messaging support details.
- If you look at Voice, SMS and RCSYour carrier supports RCS messaging. If not, you’ll see Voice and SMS.
Method 3: Enable/toggle RCS in Settings
If iOS 18 RCS support is available in your region and your network carrier supports it, it doesn't mean that RCS will automatically work for you. Since RCS messaging is an opt-in feature on iPhone, you need to do this Enable RCS inside the Settings app. If you haven't done this, RCS Messages won't work on your iPhone. You can follow the steps below to turn on RCS Messaging on iOS 18:
- Go Settings -> Apps -> Messages.
- Here, scroll down and turn on RCS Messaging Toggle on under “Text Messaging.”
If you have already enabled this feature but RCS is not working on your iPhone, You should toggle the RCS messaging optionThis will clear all the errors and activate the Rich Communication Services on your iPhone.
After doing that, open the Messages app and try sending an RCS message or responding to existing messages.
Method 4: Check your Internet connection
Unlike regular text messages and SMS, RCS messaging works over standard Wi-Fi and mobile data. So, if you want to use RCS on iOS 18, your iPhone must have a stable internet connection. In case of no internet connection or poor internet connection, you cannot send RCS messages on your iPhone. To verify, open Safari and visit a website you visit frequently. If the site doesn't load or you see the message “Your iPhone is not connected to the Internet,” then RCS messages are not working on your iPhone due to poor internet.
If you are using Wi-Fi, you need to toggle the Wi-Fi option, forget the Wi-Fi network and reconnect, or reboot the Wi-Fi router. In case of mobile data, toggle Airplane mode, toggle mobile data, make sure you have an active data plan, check for data issues, or contact your network provider.
Method 5: Toggle Airplane Mode
There may be instances when you have installed iOS 18, your carrier supports RCS messaging, and you have enabled this option in Settings, but RCS won't work on your iPhone. This is usually due to network glitches that interfere with messaging and other network-related functions. The easiest way to fix minor network bugs is to turn on Airplane Mode on your iPhone.
Swipe down from the top-right corner of your iPhone screen so that it appears Control Center. Here, tap on Airplane icon. Now the icon should turn orange. Wait for about 5 to 10 seconds and then tap on the same icon again.
Alternatively, go here Settings And turn on the toggle for Airplane mode. Again, wait for a few seconds and turn it off.
Method 6: Restart your iPhone
If you still can't send RCS messages, the last resort is to Restart your iPhone. This will allow your iPhone to reconnect to the network. Also, it will clear any minor software glitches and network-related bugs that are interfering with the normal functionality of your device. So, make sure that you Turn off your iPhone, Wait for a few seconds, and then turn it back on. Once your iPhone restarts and you’re connected to a stable internet connection, try RCS messages again.
This is how you can fix RCS not working issue on iOS 18. We hope you are now able to enjoy those read receipts and exchange media in high quality with your Android friends. If you have any doubts, feel free to contact us in the comments below.
No, the blue bubbles are for iMessage only. Your RCS messages will still appear in green bubbles just like your text messages or SMS. For easy identification, RCS messages will be labeled “Text Message – RCS.”
