1&1 enables RCS on iPhone with iOS 26.2

1&1 has activated support for RCS messaging on Apple devices — but only after the release of iOS 26.2. With the latest iOS update installed, customers on the 1&1 network can enable the Rich Communication Services (RCS) successor to SMS and access richer messaging features when communicating with compatible contacts.

RCS brings features beyond traditional SMS: higher-quality media transfers, typing indicators, read receipts and improved group messaging. The technical rollout is handled by 1&1, so users must update to iOS 26.2 and have a 1&1 SIM/profile to enable the service on their iPhone, iPad or Apple Watch where supported.

How to get started

• Update your device to iOS 26.2 via Settings > General > Software Update.
• Make sure your 1&1 SIM/profile is active and any carrier settings are applied (restart the device if prompted).
• Check Settings > Messages for RCS or enhanced messaging toggles and follow on-screen steps to activate.

Notes & limitations

• RCS features require both sender and recipient (and their carriers/devices) to support RCS — interoperability varies by platform and region.
• Apple’s iMessage remains a separate ecosystem; RCS does not replace iMessage for communication between Apple devices.
• Encryption and exact feature availability depend on the messaging client and carrier implementations — end-to-end encryption for RCS is not guaranteed in all setups.

Why this matters

Expanding RCS support to additional carriers means more users can enjoy modern messaging features without switching apps. For carriers and consumers, it’s a step toward replacing legacy SMS with a richer, more flexible standard — though full benefit depends on broad adoption across networks and devices.

Official Apple update notes: iOS 26 overview. For carrier details, check 1&1 support pages: 1&1.

Discussion: Will RCS on iPhone change how you message — or do you still prefer third‑party apps like WhatsApp for rich features? What would make RCS more useful for you?