Huge new iOS 18 feature will drastically change iPhone messaging but you have to turn it on yourself after updating

A huge new iOS 18 feature promises to drastically change the way you message on your iPhone.

As Apple rolls out the new operating system update, a lot of new features are now available to try out on the iPhone.

These include brand new functions such as home screen customization and a redesign of the Control Center.

The new update will be available with iOS 18 (Tom Werner/Getty Images)

From there, users can rearrange and resize their controls, and even add more controls from the Controls gallery.

People will also be able to change the colors of app icons, a complete revamp of the Photos app and the launch of a new password management app.

However, one particularly major change is the introduction of RCS messaging.

This will mean that iPhone and Android users will finally be able to share high-res images and videos with each other.

They’ll also be able to see typing indicators and use read receipts.

Although, this is a function that you’ll need to turn on yourself after updating iOS 18 and messages from Android users will still be delivered in green bubbles.

The update has left a lot of Apple fans excited about the change, with many taking to X, formerly Twitter, to share their reactions.

One user wrote: “If you’re an iPhone user, I’m sure you have an Android user in your life and you get frustrated that you can’t have the same texting experience. Well, Apple has finally agreed to support RCS messaging if you’ve upgraded to iOS 18.

RCS messaging will be available between Android and iPhone users (Avishek Das/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images)

“With RCS messaging, you'll be able to enjoy features like typing indicators and the ‘Delivered’ status message while messaging Android users. It'll also help ensure high-quality videos and pictures are sent when texting between iPhone and Android devices.

Another said: “Apple adding RCS support won’t necessarily end green vs blue bubbles. They can still absolutely treat RCS messages differently vs iMessage… BUT it does help with encryption and higher file size support between Android and iPhones.”

Your phone should automatically have RCS messaging turned on but if you need to do it manually, head to your iPhone Settings and select Apps near the bottom of the menu. From there, you can click Messages before having the option to switch on RCS Messaging under Text Messaging.

And that isn’t the only update to iPhone messaging.

Some other new upgrades for iOS 18 include new text effects and formatting options now being available for iMessage as well as the function of scheduling messages to send at a later time.

Satellite messaging will now also be available to iPhone users.