RCS not Working iOS 18? Try the 7 Fixes

RCS (Rich Communication Services), a better communications protocol over SMS, is now accessible on iOS 18. It has various features, including read receipts, typing indications, and improved file sharing between Android and iPhone users. Unfortunately, RCS does not operate on some iPhones after upgrading to iOS 18.

If you are experiencing a similar problem, you may need this guide, offering potential reasons why you cannot use RCS, and also solutions to fix RCS not working iOS 18 issue.

Why is the RCS Message not Working After iOS 18 Update?

You may have trouble sending or receiving RCS Messages on your iPhone for a variety of reasons. Some common reasons are listed below.

⛔ Incorrect settings.
⛔ Lack of support from the carrier or in your location.
⛔ Unpatched iOS problems.
⛔ Network-related difficulties.
⛔ Recipient-side issues.

After knowing the reasons that cause iOS 18 RCS not working, it’s time to fix the issue.

6 Fixes to RCS not Working iOS 18(Beta)

Here are several detailed methods to troubleshoot and fix RCS not working on iOS 18 device. Try them one after another until your issue gets fixed.

1# Force Restart iPhone

Like many other software issues, you can get RCS working again by force restarting your iPhone. Here are how you can do.

• For iPhone XR and later: Quickly press and release the Volume Up button > Quickly press and release the Volume Down button > Press and hold the Side button. When the Apple logo appears, release the button.
• For iPhone SE: Press and hold both the Sleep/Wake button and the Home button. When the Apple logo shows up, release both buttons.

2# Check If Your Region Supports RCS

While iOS 18 introduces various new features, many of them, such as Rich Communication Service (RCS), are only accessible in a few locations. RCS Messaging for iPhone is currently only accessible in the United States, Canada, and a few European nations. If you live elsewhere, you will be unable to utilize RCS on your iPhone.

3# Check If Your Carrier Supports RCS

If your carrier does not support RCS on iPhones, the RCS service will not function, either. Although the majority of US carriers, including Verizon, AT&T, and T-Mobile, enable RCS on iPhones, several have not yet done so.

To find out if your carrier supports RCS on iPhones, visit the Apple Support website or follow the instructions below.

Step 1. Go to the Settings app on your iPhone > Go to General > About.

Step 2. Scroll down and double-tap Carrier > Check whether the IMS Status says Voice, SMS & RCS.

If your iPhone's IMS status says Voice, SMS & RCS, it indicates that your carrier supports RCS; all you have to do is turn it on in the Settings app.

In contrast, your carrier may not offer RCS or you may need to request that they enable it for your number if the IMS Status only states Voice & SMS.

4# Check RCS is Enabled

As what has been mentioned above, if your carrier supports RCS, you can use RCS as long as you turn it on in the Settings app. Thus, when RCS not working iOS 18, you meed to check whether you’ve enabled it.

To check if RCS is enabled, go to the Settings app > Scroll down to tap Apps > Choose Messages > Toggle on the switch next to RCS Messaging.

5# Check & Reset Network Settings

Different from SMS, the RCS service works over mobile data and Wi-Fi. This implies that if you are not online, you will experience problems sending or receiving messages over RCS. Check to see if Wi-Fi and Cellular are enabled in the Control Center to make sure this isn't the case.

To prevent any network issues that lead to RCS not working after update iOS 18, you can consider resetting network settings by following steps below.

To reset all settings on your iPhone, go to the Settings app > General > Transfer or Reset iPhone > Reset > Choose Reset Network Settings to fix iOS 18 RCS issue.

6# Check the RCS of the Recipient Device is Enabled

If you can send RCS messages to other contacts but are only having trouble with one, it might be a problem with the recipient rather than you. The recipient must also have RCS Chats activated on their Android smartphone in order to receive RCS messages. Here's how to go about it:

Step 1. Go to the Messages app on the Android phone > Tap the profile picture in the top-right corner > Choose Messages Settings > Tap RCS Chats.

Step 2. Make sure the Turn on RCS Chats is enabled > Wait for a few seconds until the status says Connected.

Bonus: Downgrade iOS Without Losing Data - FoneTool

If you find that the RCS issues are too persistent and frustrating, you may consider downgrading to a previous iOS version. This can often restore functionality without erasing your data.

FoneTool is a reliable software solution that allows you to downgrade iOS to previous version without losing any data. You can downgrade iOS, and then re-update to the latest iOS version to enjoy the RCS service.

Download FoneTool to your computer by clicking the icon below, and follow the steps blow to downgrade your iOS 18.

Step 1. Connect your iPhone to your computer > Run FoneTool > Navigate to Toolbox > Select iOS System Repair.

Step 2. Choose iOS Upgrade/Downgrade > Go to the Download section > Click Start.

Step 3. Select the firmware version you need > Choose a storage path from the Target Path option > Then tap Download to get the firmware.

Step 4. Once the download process is finished, just click Start Downgrade to begin the task.

Summary

That’s all for the solutions you can try to troubleshoot RCS not working iOS 18. We hope that you and your Android friends may now enjoy the high-quality exchange media and read receipts. If this guide is helpful, please share it with others.