RCS: First Android users can edit messages to iPhones
Google is giving the first Android beta testers the opportunity to change RCS messages to iOS users retrospectively. However, the rollout will take some time.
Google Message und Apple iMessage.
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As part of the RCS Unviersal Profile 3.0, not only should encryption for the SMS successor Rich Communication Services finally be available on devices as standard, but also other convenient functions such as the subsequent editing of messages. This now works between iPhones and Android devices in some cases, as users of current Android betas report. However, this seems to depend on the respective mobile phone provider and Google itself, reports Android Authority. Furthermore, there are still display problems on iOS, as RCS 3.0 will not be officially supported there until the fall at the earliest.
15 minutes time, message reappears
In practice, Google seems to be carrying out a kind of A/B test: Some Android beta users see the feature in the Messages app and some don't. Those who do see the feature have 15 minutes to edit a message with a long press. On iPhone, iPad and Mac, however, these do not appear as edited, but as a completely new message – precisely because of the lack of RCS 3.0 support.
Android users have been able to edit RCS messages for over a year now. However, Apple is currently still using RCS Universal Profile 2.4, which lacks this function. Android Authority reports that the changed messages are being received by both iOS 18.5 users and users with iOS 26 Developer Beta 2 –, but in each case they are new. This means that Apple is not yet implementing RCS 3.0 in the beta. It remains to be seen whether this will be the case when iOS 26 is released in September.
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More convenience with RCS 3.0
It is also not yet possible for iOS users to edit messages; this also requires RCS 3.0. With the new standard, Apple will also offer encryption for RCS for the first time, although this can be switched off. This is already available on Android devices because Google manages it itself.
In addition to the editing function, you can also undo the sending of entire messages and a tapback with any emojis is provided. It remains unclear whether SIM card hijacking with encrypted RCS messages will still be possible, as we know it from SMS. Google had tried for years to force Apple to support RCS in the Messages app. It succeeded with iOS 18. However, the messages are still green, only "real" iMessage messages have the familiar blue color.
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