iOS 18 update brings RCS messaging support to iPhone

iOS 18 began rolling out globally to iPhone users on Monday, bringing changes like customization of the home and lock screens, redesigned apps and more options in the Control Center. The update also brings two features that are new to iOS but have long existed on Android: Rich Communication Services (RCS) Messaging and T9 Dialling. While the former claims to improve the messaging experience, the latter can make the process of dialing numbers a lot faster.

RCS Messaging and T9 Calling in iOS 18

Apple says it’s finally bringing RCS Messaging to the iPhone, after years of pressure from Google. Backed by the GSM Association, RCS is a messaging system widely seen as a successor to traditional SMS messaging. The feature, available in the Messages app, brings end-to-end encryption, support for high-resolution media sharing, Wi-Fi messaging and chat indicators for those who don’t own an Apple device.

Another new addition is T9 Dialling in the phone app. This allows users to call someone’s number from their address book by typing their name on the keypad, similar to entering a name on a feature phone. They can enter the numbers that correspond to the first few letters of the recipient’s name.

While both features are now available on iPhone with iOS 18, Android users have had them available for years.

Other iOS 18 Features

iOS 18 also brings call recording to the iPhone. Users can also view transcripts of the saved conversations in the Notes app. Apple has brought deeper personalization to the home screen and lock screen by allowing users to customize icons and apply tints of different colors. They can also adjust the size of apps and widgets and rearrange them anywhere on the home screen.

There are also more options in the Control Center, with a new ability to add secondary pages and change the layout. There’s also a revamped Photos app, a new Passwords app and other system-wide improvements.