Apple says iPhones will support RCS in 2024

The blue versus green bubble debate may finally be winding down. Apple says the iPhone will add support for RCS messaging, the messaging standard used by most Android phones, in 2024, according to a report from 9to5Mac.

“Later next year, we will be adding support for RCS Universal Profile, the standard as currently published by the GSM Association,” an Apple spokesperson tells 9to5Mac. “We believe RCS Universal Profile will offer a better interoperability experience when compared to SMS or MMS. This will work alongside iMessage, which will continue to be the best and most secure messaging experience for Apple users.”

As noted by 9to5Mac, the iPhone adopting RCS could enable support for read receipts, typing indicators, high-res images and videos, and more, when sending texts between iPhone and Android devices. Apple didn’t immediately respond to The Verge’s request for comment.

The change likely comes in response to regulator pressure from the European Union’s Digital Markets Act.