While RCS itself is an open standard, the most common way people are using it is within Google's Messages app on Android phones. While RCS isn't currently interoperable with iOS, Google has built cross-platform message reactions into its texting app to improve how texts from an iPhone appear within Android. This idea would still be annoying for Android users, but it's better than receiving texts out of order during fast-flowing group chats. On the other hand, bringing iMessage to Android could instead draw more customers to Apple's iPhone ecosystem. But it could also help Apple reach a wider audience by exposing Android users to its products and services.

Source: Wall Street Journal August 02, 2022 14:42 UTC