Messaging across iPhone and Android might get a significant boost with video call support, thanks to the latest RCS Universal Profile 4.0 update. The GSM Association (GSMA) has finalized this new standard, which introduces a feature called Messaging-Initiated Video Calls (MIVC). This feature allows users to switch from a one-on-one or group Rich Communication Services (RCS) chat directly into a video call, potentially bridging the video calling gap between different devices and networks.
MIVC is designed to keep video calls accessible for all chat members, even allowing participants who missed the call start to join later. It also synchronizes video call records within the chat timeline, aiming for a seamless experience that is natively interoperable across a range of devices and network operators. If widely adopted, it could finally solve the long-standing problem of incompatible video calling protocols between Android and iPhone users.
Despite the promise of RCS Universal Profile 4.0, there is no official confirmation yet from Apple or Google-who own the dominant mobile platforms-about supporting this new video calling feature. Their silence leaves the timeline and actual availability uncertain, as both companies have been cautious in embracing full RCS interoperability.
Beyond video calls, the RCS Universal Profile 4.0 update also enhances text messaging by enabling rich text formatting, including bold, italics, and strikethrough, along with support for sharing higher-quality media such as audio, images, and video. This continues to build on RCS’s role as a more capable alternative to SMS, attempting to unify messaging experiences across carriers and platforms.
The push for RCS video calling interoperability marks another step in the long race to dethrone proprietary messaging apps like FaceTime and WhatsApp by offering native, standards-based communication features. Whether Apple and Google will embrace this in their default messaging apps remains to be seen, but if they do, users could finally enjoy cross-platform video calls without third-party apps.
What is Messaging-Initiated Video Calls (MIVC)?
Messaging-Initiated Video Calls (MIVC) is a new feature introduced in the RCS Universal Profile 4.0 that enables users to seamlessly switch from an RCS chat to a video call. It supports both one-on-one and group calls, allowing participants to join even after the call has started, and keeps video call records synchronized within the chat timeline.
Benefits of RCS Universal Profile 4.0 for cross-platform video calls
- Enables seamless transition from chat to video call within the same app
- Supports late joiners to ongoing video calls
- Keeps video call records synchronized in the chat timeline
- Ensures native interoperability across devices and network operators
- Enhances text messaging with rich text formatting and higher-quality media sharing
Adoption challenges and outlook for iPhone and Android video calling
While the RCS Universal Profile 4.0 and its video calling features show significant promise, Apple and Google have not confirmed plans to support the new standard in their default messaging apps. This leaves the availability of cross-platform RCS video calling uncertain. Industry observers are watching closely to see if these tech giants will adopt MIVC to enable seamless video communication between iPhone and Android users without relying on third-party apps.