Google Fi users still wait for RCS support on iPhone as Apple adds support for others

Google Fi users are currently left in the lurch when it comes to RCS (Rich Communication Services) support on iPhones, despite Apple rolling out this feature to an increasing number of carriers. With recent iOS updates, Apple has extended RCS support to smaller operators like Boost Mobile and Visible, in addition to heavyweights like AT&T, Verizon, and T-Mobile. However, Google Fi, which enjoys significant popularity among Android enthusiasts, is notably missing from this lineup.

RCS on iPhones brings a host of improvements to messaging between iOS and Android devices, including better group chats, high-resolution media sharing, and real-time typing indicators. Apple’s decision to implement RCS earlier this year was a much-anticipated step towards harmonizing cross-platform communication, but the rollout has been slow, with Apple hand-picking which carriers get the green light.

The big question is, why isn’t Google Fi included? Google has been pushing for RCS to be the standard, yet here we are, with Google’s own service left out. As noted by 9to5Google, the company claimed that only Apple can turn on RCS for Fi on iPhones, which means Fi users are just waiting on Apple to make a move.

To add insult to injury, Apple’s support page for RCS doesn’t even mention Google Fi, and it also skips over other Fi features like 5G or Wi-Fi calling. This makes it look like Google Fi might be waiting a while longer for RCS.

For Fi users with iPhones, not having RCS is a real bummer, leaving them with the old-school SMS and MMS when chatting with Android friends. As Apple keeps expanding RCS to other carriers, we’ll just have to wait for when Google Fi will get its turn. Until then, it’s back to basics for Fi’s iPhone users.