Google Messages is gearing up to enhance old cross-platform chats, including those with iPhone users, by upgrading them to the RCS messaging standard. This initiative follows Apple’s recent decision to incorporate RCS support into iMessage after years of resistance.
In the past, group chats involving both iPhone and Android users were automatically downgraded to SMS and MMS formats, lacking the advanced features of RCS. However, a recent APK code breakdown in the Google Messages app’s beta version suggests that these older conversations could soon be transformed into RCS chats.
Two essential flags, named “bugle.enable_mms_group_upgrade_ui_home_screen” and “bugle.enable_mms_group_upgrade_ui_conversation_screen,” have been identified as necessary to activate this upgrade feature. When a conversation successfully upgrades, users will receive a popup notification stating, “You’ve got upgraded chats” and will be informed about the benefits of RCS, such as sending higher quality photos and videos with reactions.
RCS messaging on iPhone (yes, green bubbles included) is currently available in the iOS 18 beta version and is expected to be more widely accessible with the stable release of iOS 18 this fall. This upgrade to Google Messages won’t just enhance chats with iPhones; it can also improve conversations between Android phones where one participant isn’t using an RCS-compatible app.
While this feature isn’t yet publicly available, it signifies a significant advancement in messaging experiences across different platforms. It aligns perfectly with Google’s continuous efforts to boost RCS adoption and improve cross-platform communication.
The upgrade process will be seamless for users since it will be automatic with pop-up notifications alerting them about the transition to RCS. This will allow users to enjoy the benefits of RCS without needing manual intervention.
Although specific implementation details and timelines are still unclear, the potential impact of this upgrade is vast. It has the potential to greatly enhance messaging quality and functionality for millions of users engaging in cross-platform conversations.
