RCS will now be used by Google's Messages app by default

Google stated today that it is making its Messages by Google app more secure by improving RCS, or Rich Communication Services – a standard aimed at replacing SMS that is more advanced than Apple's iMessage. According to the company, RCS will now be the default for both new and current Messages app customers. Furthermore, end-to-end encryption for group chats is now available to all RCS users.

After earlier tests, the latter entered open beta this year but was not completely deployed until recently. According to Google, with this upgrade, all communications between users in Messages, whether 1:1 or group chats, will now be kept private.

Since introducing RCS to Android users in the United States in 2019, Google has been lobbying to persuade Apple to include the technology into its own texting service, iMessage. Last year, it even developed a webpage to explain why RCS benefits consumers, stressing that "it's not about the color of the bubbles." It's the fuzzy videos, the broken group chats, the missing read receipts and typing indicators, the inability to text over Wi-Fi, and other issues."

Google then accused Apple of refusing to follow current messaging standards, to the disadvantage of its own customers' experiences, in the hope of enlisting them in its fight.

However, Apple isn't simply lagging behind in terms of modern technology adoption, as Google contends. It is aware that iMessage is one of the most significant sources of ecosystem lock-in. Apple users, particularly young people, dislike the green bubbles. Furthermore, as stated in court filings, the firm has no interest in developing an Android version of iMessage since it believes it will harm the company rather than assist it.

Apple CEO Tim Cook was reportedly asked at a presentation if the company would embrace RCS so that the user's mother could see the films he sent her better. He responded, "Buy your mom an iPhone." Regardless, Google's attempts to advance RCS continue.

According to Google, the feature will now be activated as the default for all users, unless they previously disabled RCS in their Settings. Users will be able to opt out after today's release by turning RCS off in Settings, according to a help manual.

With RCS enabled, users can access more advanced messaging features such as sharing high-resolution photos and videos, seeing typing indicators, receiving read receipts, sending messages over mobile data and Wi-Fi, renaming, editing, and removing themselves from group chats, and using end-to-end encryption — all of which iMessage users have had for years.