iOS 27 Beta 2 Brings Inline Replies to RCS Chats
▼ Summary
– iOS 27 beta 2 adds the ability to reply to a specific message in RCS conversations with Android users via long press.
– Tapback emoji now appear directly on images and videos in RCS chats, instead of text descriptors as in iOS 26.
– iOS 27 builds on earlier RCS improvements, following iOS 26.5’s addition of encryption for iPhone-Android RCS messages.
– Proper RCS reply threading requires both sender and recipient to have a smartphone and carrier that supports RCS.
– iOS 27 is currently developer-only, with a public beta expected in July and an official release in September.
With the release of iOS 27 Beta 2, Apple has introduced a highly anticipated feature for cross-platform messaging: inline replies in RCS chats. This update allows iPhone users to directly respond to a specific message within a conversation with an Android user, bridging a key gap between iMessage and RCS functionality.
To use the new feature, simply long press on a message bubble to reveal the reply option. The interaction mirrors the familiar experience of replying inline within iMessage, making the transition seamless for iOS users. This addition brings RCS conversations closer to the rich, threaded experience that Apple’s own messaging platform has long offered.
Beyond inline replies, iOS 27 also enhances how tapback reactions and emoji are displayed. In previous versions like iOS 26, reactions to images or videos appeared as text descriptors (e.g., “[x loved an image]”) rather than the actual emoji. With iOS 27, those emoji now render directly on the media, just as they do in iMessage, providing a more intuitive and visually cohesive experience.
Apple first introduced RCS support in iOS 18 and has steadily refined it. The iOS 26.5 update added end-to-end encryption for RCS messages between iPhone and Android devices. Now, the latest beta continues this trajectory by implementing more core features, such as reply threading. However, for this feature to work correctly, both the sender and recipient must have a smartphone and carrier that fully support RCS.
Currently, iOS 27 Beta 2 is available only to registered developers. A public beta is expected in July, with the official public release slated for September.
(Source: MacRumors)
