Apple Partners Jio To Bring RCS Messaging To iPhones In India

Tech giant Apple has reportedly partnered with Reliance Jio to bring Rich Communication Services (RCS) messaging on iPhones for Jio users. 

This tie-up will allow Jio users on iPhones to send iMessage-style “blue tick” RCS texts containing high-resolution images and videos, read receipts, and interactive features over WiFi or mobile data, with no extra fees, ET reported, citing sources. 

RCS, introduced in 2007 by the global telecom industry body GSMA, is a messaging standard designed to enhance and modernise SMS. RCS offers features like read receipts, group chats, file sharing, and interactive messages similar to WhatsApp or iMessage and is built into a phone’s default messaging app.

It enables secure and verified business communication, reducing risks of phishing or spam compared to SMS. Besides, it also allows telecom operators to stay relevant in the growing messaging ecosystem. 

India is witnessing a rise in RCS adoption as the country is still heavily reliant on SMS for OTPs, banking alerts, and transactions. RCS modernises this channel and is a safer communication alternative. 

With 10 countries adopting it worldwide, India also sees RCS as both a security measure and a digital upgrade to its communication ecosystem.

Jio’s strong customer base of over 49 Cr will help Apple drive adoption of the RCS services.

Inc42 has reached out to Apple and Jio for comments on the development. The story will be updated on receiving a response.

Notably, Bharti Airtel earlier declined to partner with Google or Apple for enabling RCS, arguing that the encrypted channel could expose users to spam, ET reports. 

The development comes at a time when Apple is seeing strong growth in India. The company reported a record revenue from India in the June quarter on the back of double-digit growth across iPhones, Macs and services.

“… We saw iPhone growth in every geographic segment, and double-digit growth in emerging markets, including India, the Middle East, South Asia and Brazil…,” Apple chief executive Tim Cook said.

Apple’s Growing Focus On Indian Market 

Buoyed by the high demand, the iPhone maker is expanding its retail footprint in India. After announcing the launch of its third official store in Bengaluru last week, the company said yesterday that it will open a new store in Pune next week. 

Besides, India is gradually emerging as a key manufacturing destination for the tech giant. It was reported earlier this month that Apple is planning to ramp up the production of its iPhone 17 across all five factories in India. 

The company started manufacturing iPhone 15 in India last year, clocking 30 Mn to 40 Mn units annually. Till last year, 25% of Apple manufacturing was happening in India via its contract manufacturers, Tata Electronics, Foxconn and Pegatron. 

It was in late April this year that Apple decided to take out most of the iPhone manufacturing from China. Apple disclosed its plan to shift the entire assembly of iPhones sold in the US to India by 2026.