SK Telecom, KT, and LG Uplus, the three major telecommunications companies in Korea, announced that they will support iPhone RCS (Rich Communication Services) messaging through Apple’s recent iOS 26 update.
RCS is an advanced global standard for text messaging, offering a more convenient and enriched messaging experience, including group chats, high-quality photo transmission, read receipts, and “typing” indicators. Since late last year, iPhones have gradually expanded RCS support in various countries.
Previously, RCS was only supported on Android devices in Korea, but with this update, it is now available on iPhones as well. However, to use RCS on an iPhone, users must have an iPhone 11 series or later running iOS 26 or higher.
With the iOS 26 update, domestic iPhone users can now participate in group chats with up to 100 Android users. They can also enjoy various RCS features, including real-time read receipts, “typing” indicators, and reply functionality. RCS also supports emoticons, allowing for richer expressions of emotion.
Notably, the previous 1MB attachment limit for MMS (Multimedia Message Service) has been significantly expanded, enabling users to freely share high-quality photos and videos. Unlike other messaging services, data charges are not applied to attachments under 5MB, allowing users to use the service without worrying about extra data costs.
Additionally, RCS delivers messages from businesses in a more diverse and visually appealing format, making it easier to view information such as card transaction histories.
RCS also includes a “Brand Profile” feature, allowing users to confidently identify messages from companies that have registered their brands. Even if a number is not saved in the user’s address book, the company’s logo, contact information, and other details are displayed, making it clear which company sent the message.
