Apple and Jio have joined forces to introduce Rich Communication Services (RCS) messaging on iPhones, a move that will enhance the way users send and receive messages. RCS is considered the next-generation upgrade to traditional SMS, offering advanced features like read receipts, high-resolution media sharing, group chats, and file transfers.
This partnership marks a major step in improving the messaging experience for iPhone users in India, while also opening new opportunities for businesses to engage customers with richer content.
For years, Apple restricted RCS features exclusively to its iMessage platform, creating a closed ecosystem. However, under growing regulatory pressure and industry demand, Apple enabled RCS messaging on iPhones with the release of iOS 18 in 2024.
The partnership with Jio ensures that iPhone users in India can now enjoy iMessage-style texting features over mobile data or Wi-Fi, bridging the communication gap between iOS and Android devices.
The adoption of RCS means iPhone users can now enjoy a host of modern messaging features that were previously unavailable outside iMessage. Some of the key upgrades include:
High-resolution photo and video sharing
Typing indicators and read receipts
Group chats with seamless syncing
File and document sharing directly via messaging
Although these features may not drastically change the experience for casual users, they create a more unified communication standard across devices.
According to source report, the Jio-Apple RCS integration will be particularly impactful for businesses. Companies will be able to send rich media content—such as product images, promotional videos, and documents—directly to customers via RCS.
This could transform business-to-customer communication, offering enterprises a more interactive and engaging alternative to SMS and emails. Brands may also benefit from higher open and engagement rates, as RCS messages appear directly in the phone’s messaging app.
Interestingly, rival telecom operator Airtel has yet to partner with Apple and Google to enable RCS messaging. The company has raised concerns that the feature could lead to increased spam messages, and is urging India’s telecom regulator to introduce anti-spam rules for RCS communication.
Until then, Airtel subscribers may miss out on the enhanced messaging experience available to Jio iPhone users.
For years, iPhone users were familiar with the “green bubble vs blue bubble” divide. Blue bubbles indicated messages sent between iPhone users via iMessage, while green bubbles appeared when texting Android users via SMS.
This distinction often created a messaging gap between iOS and Android communities. However, with Apple adopting RCS in iOS 18, the divide has significantly reduced, making messaging across platforms more seamless and feature-rich.
Alongside the RCS development, Apple has confirmed that it will hold its next major event on September 9, 2025, at the Steve Jobs Theater in Apple Park, Cupertino. The event will begin at 10:30 PM IST and carries the tagline “Awe dropping.”
The highlight is expected to be the launch of the iPhone 17 Series, alongside other new products such as Apple Watches and AI-driven features. With Apple increasingly focusing on artificial intelligence integration, this year’s event will be closely watched by both consumers and investors.
The partnership with Jio demonstrates Apple’s growing interest in expanding its ecosystem in India, one of the company’s fastest-growing markets. By enabling RCS, Apple is not only modernizing its messaging system but also strengthening ties with local telecom partners.
This move comes at a time when Apple is also shifting iPhone production to India, further underlining the country’s strategic importance in the company’s global plans.
Conclusion
The Jio-Apple partnership to enable RCS messaging on iPhones is a significant step toward modernizing communication in India. While everyday users will enjoy a more seamless messaging experience, businesses stand to gain the most by delivering rich media content directly to customers. With Apple’s September 9 event around the corner, the company is set to make 2025 a landmark year for its presence in India and globally.