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iPhone users can now access the green bubble messages in the US
iOS 18 brings a host of new features but iPhone users in some countries can finally chat with their Android friends thanks to RCS messaging support.
Apple has officially launched its highly anticipated iOS 18 update worldwide. This new version introduces major enhancements, including customisable home and lock screens, revamped apps and expanded features in the Control Centre. Additionally, iOS 18 brings long-requested features to iPhones, such as Rich Communication Services (RCS) Messaging and T9 Dialling, which have been available on Android devices for some time.
The RCS, supported by the GSM Association, is a messaging feature that is largely regarded as a successor to traditional SMS messaging. The feature, which is available in the Messages app, includes end-to-end encryption, high-resolution media sharing, Wi-Fi message sending and chat indicators for individuals who do not have an Apple device.
Another significant update is the introduction of T9 Dialling in the Phone app. This feature enables users to quickly dial any number from their address book by typing the name on the keyboard. By entering the numbers corresponding to the initial letters of the recipient’s name, users can efficiently find and call their contacts.
While these new features mark a significant upgrade for iOS users, it’s worth noting that Android smartphone users have been benefiting from them for years. Apart from these, the other big thing that Apple has introduced for their users is the addition of Native Call Recording and Transcript features to the iPhone.The feature is supported from within the Phone app, and users may start, pause and stop recording immediately during an ongoing call.
The iOS update is available on the following devices; iPhone SE Gen 2, iPhone SE 3 Gen, iPhone XR, iPhone XS, iPhone XS Max, iPhone 11, iPhone 11 Pro, iPhone 11 Pro Max, iPhone 12, iPhone 12 Mini, iPhone 12 Pro, iPhone 12 Pro Max, iPhone 13, iPhone 13 mini, iPhone 13 Pro, iPhone 13 Pro Max, iPhone 14, iPhone 14 Plus, iPhone 14 Pro, iPhone 14 Pro Max, iPhone 15, iPhone 15 Plus, iPhone 15 Pro, iPhone 15 Pro Max and the upcoming iPhone 16 series.
Notably, the upcoming Apple Intelligence features will only be available in the iPhone 15 Pro, iPhone 15 Pro Max and the iPhone 16 series lineup. Apple has limited the AI features to these iPhones because of their hardware ability to process data on-device and also handle advanced computing tasks.
