iOS 18.4 Brings RCS Support to Google Fi, Mint Mobile and Other T-Mobile MVNOs - MacRumorsOpen MenuShow RoundupsShow Forums menuVisit ForumsOpen Sidebar
Skip to Content

iOS 18.4 Brings RCS Support to Google Fi, Mint Mobile and Other T-Mobile MVNOs

by

The second beta of iOS 18.4 expands RCS messaging support to more carriers in the United States and other countries, according to multiple reports on Reddit, the MacRumors forums, and other social media sites.

apple rcs thumb
After installing iOS 18.4, iPhone users with Mint Mobile, Google Fi, Ultra Mobile, Tello, and US Mobile are able to toggle on RCS messaging, and the functionality appears to be rolling out for all T-Mobile Mobile Virtual Network Operators (MVNOs).

iPhone users with a T-Mobile MVNO can be enabled through the Messages section of the Settings app. It appears that ‌RCS‌ access is only available for those running the second iOS 18.4 developer beta, not the public beta.

In France, Orange and Sosh also have ‌RCS‌ available with iOS 18.4 beta 2, according to iPhoneSoft, so ‌RCS‌ may also be rolling out worldwide for other carriers.

‌RCS‌ was enabled for major carriers with the launch of iOS 18, and it stands for Rich Communication Services. ‌RCS‌ is a communication protocol that improves messaging between iPhone and Android users, offering support for higher resolution photos and videos, larger file sizes, audio messages, Wi-Fi messaging, real-time typing indicators, read receipts, and more.

Tag: RCS Guide
Related Forums: iOS 18, iPadOS 18

Popular Stories

RCS Feature 1

iOS 26.5 Brings End-to-End Encryption to iPhone-Android RCS Messages

Monday May 4, 2026 11:14 am PDT by
End-to-end encryption (E2EE) for RCS messages between iPhone and Android devices is coming in iOS 26.5, Apple confirmed today. The feature is listed in Apple's iOS 26.5 release notes. Apple says end-to-end encrypted RCS messaging remains in beta even though it is being released in iOS 26.5. The feature is available with supported carriers and will roll out over time, and for conversations to ...
Read Full Article • 97 comments
iOS 27 on iPhone 17 1

iOS 27 Will Add These New Features to Your iPhone

Saturday May 2, 2026 8:43 am PDT by
Apple is expected to unveil iOS 27 during its WWDC 2026 keynote on June 8, and there are already many rumored features and changes for iPhones. The first developer beta of iOS 27 will likely be available immediately following the keynote, and a public beta typically follows in July. Following beta testing, the software update should be released to all users with a compatible iPhone in...
Read Full Article • 93 comments
Apple Event Logo

Apple Just Released a New Accessory

Monday May 4, 2026 8:13 am PDT by
Apple today released a new Pride Edition Sport Loop for the Apple Watch. The band features a rainbow design with 11 colors of woven nylon yarns. The new Pride Edition Sport Loop is available to order now on Apple.com and in the Apple Store app in 40mm, 42mm, and 46mm sizes, and it will be available at Apple Store locations starting later this week. In the U.S., the band costs $49. There...
Read Full Article

Top Rated Comments

swrobel Avatar
swrobel
15 months ago
No idea why this requires an iOS update to enable, but here we are...
Score: 8 Votes (Like | Disagree)
C
coolfactor
15 months ago

It makes me feel like maybe I’m not alone see how many issues other people are having using RCS. Group chats with android users keep splitting for me, I have 3 of the same group chat split out and random people responding to each one. It’s been a mess so far. Definitely was one of the biggest features I was looking forward to on iOS 18.
Now you can see why Apple proceeded cautiously with implementing RCS support. The protocol is a mess. Hopefully Apple's involvement will bring improvements.
Score: 6 Votes (Like | Disagree)
sw1tcher Avatar
sw1tcher
15 months ago
iOS 18.4 Brings RCS Support to Google Fi, Mint Mobile and Other T-Mobile MVNOs

After installing iOS 18.4, iPhone users with Mint Mobile, Google Fi, Ultra Mobile, Tello, and US Mobile are able to toggle on RCS messaging, and the functionality appears to be rolling out for all T-Mobile Mobile Virtual Network Operators (MVNOs).

It appears that RCS access is only available for those running the second iOS 18.4 developer beta, not the public beta.
This isn't new. I have Mint Mobile and I already have RCS toggled on with iOS 18.3.1
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)
S
segfaultdotorg
15 months ago
Tim Apple,

Please make the RCS messages blue, or we'll sue for discrimination because minorities are more likely to have an Android device.

Sincerely,
America's Class Action Attorneys (TM)
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)
mazz0 Avatar
mazz0
15 months ago
Why would this be tied to OS versions? RCS is standard, doesn’t seem to make sense that Apple would need to make network-specific OS changes.
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)
pmhparis Avatar
pmhparis
15 months ago

That’s already been done, and it’s called WhatsApp.

This is why I don’t understand what problem RCS is trying to solve. Cross platform, device and network agnostic messaging is a solved problem. RCS does not add anything to this.
Some of us refuse to install any Meta apps on our phones.
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Read All Comments
Related Apple News: South Africa | Politics | Ipad | Reviews | Mac