In late 2023, Apple finally rolled out **RCS (Rich Communication Services)** support for the iPhone. RCS is a messaging standard that is commonly utilized on Android devices, providing sophisticated features such as group chats, high-quality image and video sharing, and typing indicators. While Apple’s iMessage already offered comparable capabilities, these features had previously only been accessible when messaging other iPhone users. Texting with Android users did not include these enhanced functionalities.

At its introduction, RCS support on the iPhone was restricted to a handful of major carriers. However, as noted by [9to5Mac](https://9to5mac.com/2024/12/21/ios-18-rcs-messaging-carrier-list/) and validated by [Apple’s updated carrier list](https://support.apple.com/en-us/109526), the roster of carriers backing RCS on iPhones has grown considerably.

### Comprehensive List of U.S. Carriers Offering RCS on iPhone:
– AT&T
– C Spire
– Consumer Cellular
– Cricket
– FirstNet
– H20 Wireless
– Metro by T-Mobile
– PureTalk
– Red Pocket
– Spectrum Mobile
– T-Mobile
– TracFone / Straight Talk
– US Cellular
– Verizon
– Visible
– Xfinity Mobile

Moreover, **Boost Mobile** provides RCS on iPhones, contingent upon having an iPhone XS/XR or newer running iOS 18.2 or above, even though it is not officially acknowledged.

### Significant Exclusions:
Despite the broadened list, certain carriers still do not offer RCS support for iPhones. For example, **Mint Mobile** and **Ultra Mobile**, both purchased by T-Mobile in 2024, have yet to activate RCS functionality.

### RCS Availability in Europe:
In Europe, RCS support continues to be limited and is entirely absent in several countries. Here’s the current compilation of supported carriers by region:

– **Belgium**: Base, Proximus, Telenet
– **Finland**: SFR, O2, Telekom, Vodafone
– **Spain**: Masmovil, Movistar, O2, Orange, Pepephone, Vodafone, Yoigo
– **Ukraine**: BT, EE

While Apple’s integration of RCS marks progress in uniting iPhone and Android users, the deployment is still not fully realized. Many carriers, particularly in Europe and smaller markets, have yet to embrace the standard, leaving opportunities for further growth in the future.