The much-anticipated iOS 18 update is finally here, and millions of iPhone users are rushing to download it. With new features like home screen customizations and an overhauled Photos app, it promises a sleek, improved user experience. But while the update introduces some exciting elements, the reality is that it falls short in key areas—particularly around messaging—and this has left a lot of iPhone users disappointed.
What’s Missing From iOS 18?
At first glance, iOS 18 looks like a typical Apple upgrade, but beneath the surface, there’s a lot of chatter about what’s been left out. The most glaring absence? Apple Intelligence, a feature many had expected to roll out as part of the company’s continued focus on artificial intelligence. Rumors have been swirling for months about Apple developing its own AI-powered tools to rival Siri and enhance user interactions, but iOS 18 doesn’t include any sign of this advancement.
However, the omission making the biggest waves is related to messaging—specifically, the new integration of RCS (Rich Communication Services). While many iPhone users had hoped for a major overhaul in how their devices communicate with Android phones, this update brings some improvements, but it’s far from perfect.
RCS Is Here—But It’s Not What Users Hoped For
RCS, essentially an upgrade to traditional SMS, allows for more modern messaging features like read receipts, typing indicators, and higher-quality media sharing. Apple’s adoption of RCS was long-awaited by users frustrated with the infamous green bubbles that pop up in iMessage conversations with Android users. Yet, this update doesn’t live up to expectations.
According to The Washington Post, the version of RCS that Apple has introduced in iOS 18 is “a step in the right direction” but still leaves Android-to-iPhone chats with security vulnerabilities. The biggest concern? Apple chose not to implement end-to-end encryption in RCS, leaving these messages far less secure than iMessages, which have had encryption for years.
This move has sparked criticism from privacy advocates. As the GSMA (the organization behind the RCS standard) confirmed on September 18, the lack of encryption in Apple’s implementation means iPhone users will still face potential privacy risks when chatting with friends on Android devices.
Gizmodo also weighed in, noting, “We have to acknowledge that iOS users will continue to experience a significant difference when texting iPhone users versus Android users. The RCS Apple is using simply isn’t as secure as iMessage, and this is a missed opportunity for Apple to step up its game.”
Small Wins for RCS
While security remains a big concern, there are still positive changes with RCS. Android Police pointed out that this update is “the biggest overhaul we’ve seen in years” when it comes to messaging between Android and iPhone devices. For the first time, RCS introduces features like read receipts and typing indicators in iPhone-to-Android chats, which weren’t possible with SMS and MMS. Additionally, users can now share non-blurry images and videos between devices—a much-needed improvement.
“We’ve known RCS was coming for almost a year,” Android Police explains, “but now that it’s official, the texting experience between default messaging apps for Android and iPhone is finally catching up to what we see in other messaging platforms like WhatsApp and Facebook Messenger.”
However, even these improvements have some growing pains. As Gizmodo notes, “RCS still depends heavily on factors like the generation of Android phone being used, network conditions, and carrier support.” This means that even though RCS is here, the experience won’t be seamless across the board.
The Bigger Picture: What This Means for iPhone Users
The frustration with iOS 18 isn’t just about what’s missing—it’s also about what’s lagging behind. In a world where other messaging apps like WhatsApp, Signal, and Telegram offer end-to-end encryption and a smooth, unified experience across platforms, Apple’s decision not to implement full encryption in RCS feels outdated.
As The Washington Post reports, “In some ways, Apple’s messaging app still feels stuck in the past, especially when it comes to securing messages across platforms.” The decision to leave RCS unencrypted might have been made to prioritize business relationships with carriers, but it’s a move that leaves iPhone users exposed to potential security risks.
For those heavily invested in Apple’s ecosystem, the lack of encrypted RCS might not seem like a dealbreaker since iMessage remains a top-tier messaging platform. But for anyone who regularly texts with Android users, this update could feel like a half-hearted solution that falls short of expectations.
Final Thoughts iOS 18
iOS 18 brings some exciting updates to the table, but it’s clear that Apple has a long way to go when it comes to messaging improvements. The introduction of RCS is a good step, but without encryption and a truly seamless experience, the gap between iMessage and RCS remains significant.
For millions of iPhone users, the bottom line is this: the shiny new features of iOS 18 may be nice, but the missing security and privacy upgrades in RCS leave a lot to be desired. As privacy becomes an increasing concern in the tech world, Apple’s decision to hold back on full encryption feels like a missed opportunity that could come back to haunt the company.
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