Google Fi subscribers will now be able to swap rich text messages with their Android counterparts, courtesy of the latest iOS 18.4 beta. Released on Monday, the second public beta of the new OS brings RCS (Rich Communications Service) not only to Google Fi but to MVNOs (mobile virtual network operators) that use T-Mobile’s network.
After years of waiting, Apple added support for RCS with the launch of iOS 18 last September. Before then, iPhone and Android users could exchange texts only through SMS or MMS, which limited the type of content you could add. With RCS enabled, texts between iPhones and Android phones can include larger file attachments, higher-quality photos and videos, audio messages, read receipts, more types of emojis, and better group chats.
Also: How to send and receive Apple’s iMessages in Windows
Since the official rollout, not all carriers have kicked off RCS. In the US, the standard has been available with the three major carriers (AT&T, Verizon, and T-Mobile), many regional providers, and a few MVNOs. But Google Fi and T-Mobile MVNOs such as Boost Mobile and Mint Mobile have been among those lacking support, at least until now.
How to check if you have RCS
If you are a Google Fi or T-Mobile MVNO subscriber and you download the second public beta of iOS 18.4, here’s how to check your access. Go to Settings, select Apps, and then tap Messages. Swipe down the screen and select the option for “RCS Messaging.” Make sure that RCS Messaging is turned on. You’ll then have to wait for it to be activated on your carrier.
Other features in iOS 18.4 beta
Aside from RCS, the second beta for iOS 18.4 adds a sprinkling of other features.
The iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max can now take advantage of Visual Intelligence, an AI-powered feature through which you can search for and ask questions about objects you view through your phone’s camera. Previously limited to the iPhone 16, Visual Intelligence is activated by pressing the Camera Control. But since the iPhone 15 Pro models lack that button, iOS 18.4 allows you to trigger the feature through the Action button or via Control Panel.
With the new beta, you’ll find three new controls in Control Panel. One lets you activate Siri. Another lets you use the Type to Siri option. The third lets you launch Visual Intelligence.
Also: Apple’s iOS 18.4 public beta drops with new features you’ll want to try
The new beta also adds priority notifications for all apps. Here, you can decide which notifications you want to see immediately, even if your phone is on the Lock screen. Just go to Settings and select Apps. You can then choose which apps you want to prioritize.
Next up, the Wallet app has a new three-dot button at the top. This opens a menu through which you can not only access orders from certain retailers but also view any subscriptions or payments you’ve made through Apple Pay.
Owners of Apple’s Vision Pro will find a new app that they can use to work with their headset. The app lets you view your model number and serial number, read the user guide, and check out available apps and other content.
Those of you who like to send emoji in your messages can now choose among the following additions:
- Face with bags under eyes
- Fingerprint
- Harp
- Leafless tree
- Root vegetable
- Shovel
- Splatter
To see the new emoji, the person on the other end also needs to be running iOS 18.4. So these aren’t likely to be adopted until more people are using the new version.
How to install the beta
To install the new public beta, go to Settings, select General, and then tap Software Update. Select the option for Beta Updates and check the entry for iOS 18 Public Beta. Go back to the previous screen and allow the new beta to download and install.
Also: iPhone 15 Pro users just got a major AI upgrade with Visual Intelligence
Since this is only the second public beta, you may want to reserve this for a secondary iPhone that you don’t rely on for important work. With additional betas likely to roll out in the coming weeks, the final release is expected to launch in April.