After a semi-voluntary decision to adopt RCS in the EU, the KCC has mandated messaging interoperability between iOS and Android devices
Apple’s adoption of RCS is expected to enable enhanced messaging and data transfers between iPhone and Galaxy users
On 19 February 2025, the Korea Communications Commission (KCC) issued administrative guidelines to Apple regarding the adoption of Rich Communication Services (RCS) in South Korea. RCS is an advanced version of SMS and MMS that offers features such as large file transfers, typing indicators and read receipts. Currently, RCS is only available in South Korea between users of Galaxy devices from domestic manufacturer Samsung (which use the Android operating system) for messaging and data transfers; however, once Apple supports the service on iPhones (which use the iOS operating system), it will become accessible for interactions between Galaxy and iPhone users. According to the regulator, Apple’s support for RCS would allow for large file transfers and chat message exchanges between the US vendor’s iPhones and Samsung’s range of Galaxy devices, resolving a major source of inconvenience among consumers.
The KCC has issued guidelines to Apple despite its investigation finding that it had not broken the law
The journey to the KCC’s decision began in March 2024 with an investigation the regulator undertook in response to reports of a loss in quality when files were transmitted between iPhones and Android devices. This review confirmed that the resolution of photos and videos was degraded; however, the KCC considered that this did not constitute a violation of the country’s Telecommunications Business Act for the following reasons:
Apple cannot be held accountable as MMS is a service provided by mobile operators;
There is no regulation mandating a particular transmission method to improve compatibility between devices; and
There are other alternatives to transfer large files, such as internet-based messenger services.
Nevertheless, the KCC has taken measures to ensure Apple adopts RCS for iPhones as a replacement for existing messaging services, issuing administrative guidelines that require the vendor to:
Release a beta version of iOS in H1 2025 for the three mobile operators (SKT, KT and LG Uplus) to test RCS functionalities;
Support large file transfers of up to 300MB; and
Maintain ongoing discussions with operators throughout the introduction of the service.
Apple ended its long-held opposition to RCS in the EU in an attempt to pre-empt regulation
Lee Jinsook (Chairperson, KCC) said that the regulator will spare no effort to support policies that promote openness in mobile communications services and improve user convenience by enhancing compatibility and interoperability across platforms. Similarly, Apple has stated that its adoption of RCS is part of its own efforts to enhance convenience for consumers and that it will comply with the KCC’s guidelines so that iPhone users in South Korea can use the service by the second half of 2025. The move follows Apple’s surprise reversal of its long-held position that iOS would not support. However, in November 2023, the firm announced that it would support the RCS protocol on its iMessage service within the EU. This decision was widely seen as pre-emptive compliance with the Digital Markets Act (DMA), with Apple’s iMessage service at the time facing a potential designation as a gatekeeper. The EC ultimately determined that iMessage should not be designated due to its relatively low business use. Though Apple’s adoption of RCS in Europe has not ended the existence of ’blue and green bubbles’, it is expected to benefit consumers in terms of quality of service and security (end-to-end encryption is currently being worked on), while indicating a response to external pressure from both the EC and its competitors, including Google and Meta.
