Apple And Reliance Jio May Join Hands Ahead Of iPhone 17 Launch: Heres Why

Apple has announced its fall event on September 9th, 2025, which is set to launch the much-awaited iPhone 17 series. When everyone is eyeing the upcoming Apple launches, the tech giant is reportedly partnering with Reliance Jio to bring Rich Communication Services (RCS) messaging to iPhones in the country. Also Read: Apple Reportedly Working On M5-Powered Mac Lineup For 2026: Here’s What To Expect

While Apple rolled out RCS messaging globally via iOS 18 earlier in 2024, its availability still depends on individual carrier support. With this partnership, Jio could become the first telecom provider in India to enable the feature for iPhone users, a report by The Economic Times suggested.  Also Read: Another Pro Max Phone Coming Soon, This Time From Oppo: Check Out Leaked Specs And Launch Timeline

What RCS Means for Indian iPhone Users

RCS is often described as the modern upgrade to traditional SMS and MMS. It enables users to send high-quality images and videos, see read receipts, view typing indicators, and enjoy smoother group messaging, all without needing third-party apps like WhatsApp or Telegram. Also Read: iOS 26 Inspiration Or Copy? Vivo Teased OriginOS 6 Update With Liquid Glass-Like Design

Unlike SMS, RCS messages can be sent over mobile data or Wi-Fi and are generally end-to-end encrypted, adding a layer of security. For users, this makes regular text messaging more interactive and closer to the experience offered by iMessage or other chat apps.

Jio Subscribers Set To Benefit First

Jio’s massive user base, reportedly nearing 500 million, could be among the first in India to get access to RCS on iPhones. This means users on Jio’s network can soon start using upgraded messaging features natively, without needing to rely on apps.

The service is expected to work within the default Messages app on iPhones, offering a cleaner and more integrated experience. This could also be a significant step toward reducing spam and phishing attempts, which have been on the rise in India.

However, nothing is official yet. Apple, as well as Reliance Jio, is yet to confirm when and how iPhones will get the RCS messaging feature.

iPhone 17 Launch Event Ahead

Apart from the RCS update that Apple Event is all set for September 9th, which will bring iPhone 17 series, Apple Watch Series 11, Watch Ultra 3, and AirPods Pro 3rd Gen. The event will be live at 10:30 PM IST.