- RCS Universal Profile 3.0 now allows some Android users to edit messages sent to iPhones.
- The feature is currently limited, and edits appear as a second message with an asterisk on iPhones.
- It works with iOS 18.5 and iOS 26 beta but has not been widely rolled out.
- A new version may arrive later this year as RCS integration deepens across platforms.
The gap between Android and iPhone users is finally closing the communication gap, and the latest development of RCS Universal profile might be the most thrilling one.
Due to new developments spotted in early 2025, Android users now have access to the feature of editing the RCS text messages received by iPhones, something previously impossible between the platforms.
While the feature is still in its early stages, one thing is clear: we are entering a new era of cross-platform messages. However, there is a catch, as with all beta releases.
RCS changed the game for iPhone-to-Android messaging
Last year, after many years of being petitioned, Apple finally joined Rich Communication Services (RCS) support, enabling a long overdue upgrade of iPhone-to-Android texting. These improvements included:
- Typing indicators
- Read receipts
- Delivery confirmations
Until now, these perks only scratched the surface. Editing and unsending of the messages had already been supported in both iOS and Android, although only in the case where the sender and receiver were both using the same operating system. It is about time that changed.
How it works
Android users can now interfere with iPhone text sending, due to the rollout of RCS Universal Profile 3.0. Android Authority was the first to point out the feature, and it seems to work with iPhones using iOS 18.5 and even the iOS 26 beta.
Here’s how Android users can test the feature:
- Send an RCS message to someone using an iPhone.
- Tap and hold on the sent message.
- Look for the pencil icon at the top of the screen.
- Tap the icon, and the original message should appear in the reply box.
- Edit your text and hit send.
Your edited message is sent, but currently, there is one big problem.
The Catch: How iPhone Receives Edited Texts
iPhones do not process the edit on the same thread. Instead, iOS user is given the second message with the new updated text, with an asterisk in front of it (e.g., “*Updated message”).
It means the edit does not overwrite the original on the iPhone side. It serves as a visual workaround, although not a perfect one at that, not just yet.
Who Has Access Right Now?
The feature appears to be patronized by only a few Android users so far. In some versions of Google Messages, it seems to occur when texting iPhones with the current updates in iOS. The feature is not yet available on all Android devices, and Apple has not yet indicated that it supports it officially.
Some Reddit users confirmed that they have noticed the editing capability, but it is at a very early stage.
