T-Mobile's MVNOs Roll Out iPhone RCS Support, But with Limitations
In an exciting development for iPhone users and messaging enthusiasts, T-Mobile's various MVNOs have begun supporting the Rich Communications Services (RCS) messaging protocol. However, this feature is currently limited to users who have the latest iOS 18.4 Beta 2 installed, sparking both anticipation and a hint of caution among users. As RCS paves the way for enhanced messaging experiences, it's essential for users to understand the current limitations and requirements.
While a wide rollout appears imminent, RCS is only functional on iPhones running iOS 18.4 Beta 2, according to recent findings from various Reddit users. Notably, those with iOS 18.2 Beta 2 have faced challenges as this version does not support RCS functionality. This may indicate that T-Mobile's backend systems are in a testing phase, allowing select users to explore RCS capabilities before the public launch.
As detailed by a user on Reddit, attempts to activate RCS on the networks Light Speed and Warp have resulted in the status being stuck at "Waiting for activation." As of now, the IMS section under Settings/About only reflects Voice & SMS for both networks, indicating a potential bundling issue with RCS features. The hope is that the full release of iOS 18.4 will enable RCS to function smoothly across both networks.
A user shared their experience: “As an iOS developer, I downloaded the iOS 18.4 beta 2 and RCS is showing for both Light Speed and Warp, but they are stuck in a waiting state.”
It's crucial for users seeking to test RCS to send a message to an Android phone with RCS enabled. If the message is successfully delivered, the status will change to RCS, although sometimes a phone reboot may be necessary.
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Moreover, reports indicate that Google Fi users and Mint Mobile customers also have access to RCS, but similar to T-Mobile's MVNOs, they too must be operating on iOS 18.4 Beta 2. The RCS option is currently not available for users on the public iOS 18 beta.
Interestingly, the news about RCS functionality wouldn’t have come to light without keen observations from several iOS developers who noted the toggle after the release of iOS 18.4 Beta 2. To activate RCS, users need to navigate to Settings > Apps > Messages > RCS, and toggle it on. Due to a likely high user queue for activation, some patience may be necessary before the feature becomes usable.
As T-Mobile prepares for an anticipated wider rollout of iPhone RCS, it remains to be seen if the feature will be publicly available alongside the official release of iOS 18.4, expected sometime in April. This positioning suggests T-Mobile MVNOs are keen to be ready for a smooth transition into the RCS era.
