Back in November last year,
Apple
announced that it will
support
Rich Communication Services (
RCS
) on iPhones, reversing its long-held resistance to adopting the messaging standard used by Android phones. The move is said to have come following pressure from Chinese authorities, not European regulators as previously speculated.
China has been pushing device makers to include RCS, which offers upgraded features like high-resolution photo sharing compared to regular text messaging.
Last year, China's government began the process of requiring all 5G smartphones sold in the country to support RCS as a condition of regulatory certification.
According to tech blogger John Gruber of Daring Fireball, sources within Apple confirmed that RCS support on iOS "is all about China." Gruber wrote that Apple "would prefer simply to continue ignoring RCS," which lacks end-to-end encryption protections in its standard version. However, with China representing nearly 20% of Apple's sales, the company is bending to pressure from Chinese state authorities.
The theory that European Union rules compelled Apple's reversal appears incorrect. The EU's Digital Markets Act, which aims to open up digital platforms, does not mention RCS specifically. The EU also recently determined that Apple's iMessage platform does not meet the threshold to trigger regulatory action under the legislation.
By contrast, Chinese regulations currently being drafted will require new 5G devices to include RCS functionality later this year. Failing to comply would lock Apple out of the lucrative Chinese smartphone market at a time when sales have already slumped.
While some speculated the move might improve iPhone connectivity with Android phones in Western markets, analysts say RCS support will mainly benefit iPhone users in China. "This is first and foremost about adhering to imminent Chinese mandates," said Jitesh Ubrani of IDC. "Any other effects are just side benefits."
Apple said it aims to work with RCS governing bodies to add encryption protections before implementation. But with a six-month compliance deadline looming in China, Apple may have to launch an unencrypted version in iOS 17 or 18 ahead of beefing up security down the line.
English (US) ·