If you’ve been texting an Android user lately and noticed your iPhone 18 Pro messages keep flipping between RCS and SMS, you’re not alone. Since the release of the latest iOS update, some iPhone 18 Pro users have reported this frustrating behavior — especially when the conversation is with one specific Android contact or in a group chat that includes Android devices.
In reported cases, incoming messages from the Android user show as RCS, but your replies go out as SMS. Sometimes it switches back on its own; other times, it stays stuck on SMS until you intervene.
Here’s what’s going on and what you can try to fix it.
Based on user reports, the switching seems tied to:
- A bug in iOS’s RCS handling.
- Network transitions (switching between Wi-Fi and cellular or moving between cell towers).
- Mixed carrier situations (e.g., Verizon <> T-Mobile).
- Sending one message as SMS when RCS failed, which can cause the thread to “stick” to SMS.
- Contacts saved with non-standard labels like “phone” instead of “mobile.” (see the fix below)
- Group chats with both RCS and non-RCS participants.
Fixes:
1. Airplane Mode & RCS Toggle Reset:
- Go to Settings > Apps > Messages > RCS Messaging and turn it off.
- Turn on Airplane Mode.
- Restart your iPhone.
- Turn RCS Messaging back on.
- Turn off Airplane Mode.
- Ask your contact to send you an RCS message, then reply.
2. Mark the Conversation as Unread:
- In Messages, go to the list of conversations.
- Tap Edit, then tap Select Messages.
- Select the affected conversation, then tap Unread.
- Some users say this restored RCS without a restart.
3. Reset Network Settings:
- Resets your cellular and Wi-Fi configuration, which can clear RCS connection issues. Go to Settings > General > Transfer or Reset iPhone > Reset. Tap Reset Network Settings.
- Enter your passcode if prompted, then confirm.
- Note: This resets all Wi-Fi networks and passwords, cellular settings, and VPN and APN settings.
4. Check the Contact’s Phone Number Label
- If the contact’s phone number label is “phone,” change it to a standard option like “mobile”.
- Some users found RCS was restored immediately after fixing the label.
