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In Switzerland, RCS is not yet officially available on iPhones from any provider. With the iOS 27.3 beta, this appears to be changing: Swisscom's mobile data includes RCS for the first time, and one reader has reported the service actively running on their iPhone. Neither Swisscom nor Apple has confirmed this yet.
A reader from Switzerland reported that RCS works on their iPhone in the first beta of iOS 27.3. This would be a first: Apple's September list of supported mobile carriers does not include RCS for any Swiss provider. According to Apple, the final version of iOS 27.3 is scheduled for release in December.
Key Facts at a Glance
- Swisscom's mobile data in the iOS 27.3 beta version includes RCS for the first time; a tracker lists the provider as „in beta“.
- A reader shows RCS running on iOS 27.3, reportedly with an eSIM from Wingo.
- The switch for end-to-end encryption (Beta) is also active there.
- Swisscom has targeted a launch for 2026, while Salt is aiming for the second quarter of 2027 at the earliest.
- Apple's list currently excludes Swiss providers from RCS.
What speaks in favor of RCS at Swisscom
The strongest clue lies in the mobile network data. An independent tracker has listed Swisscom as „in beta“ since November 3rd because the provider's data in the iOS 27.3 beta version includes RCS for the first time. This entry was missing in iOS 27.2. The tracker does not list Sunrise, Salt, or Wingo.
In addition, there are two user reports. In the Swisscom forum, a user writes that RCS is active with encryption from iOS 27.3 onwards. A reader from Switzerland shows screenshots of iOS 27.3 with active switches for RCS messages and end-to-end encryption (beta); in the chat, the input field displays „Text message • RCS“.
He claims to use an iPhone 18 Pro with an eSIM from Wingo, a Swisscom brand. His iPhone is sometimes connected to two networks simultaneously, though the screenshots don't identify the specific provider. His report thus goes beyond what the data for Wingo actually reveals.
There has been no announcement from Swisscom or an entry in Apple's list so far.
Swisscom has targeted a launch date of 2026
A spokesperson told Blick in June that Swisscom was working with Apple and Google to launch RCS in 2026. Salt mentioned the second quarter of 2027 at the earliest, while Sunrise made no statement.
Where RCS stands in German-speaking countries
Apple's September list shows how far behind Switzerland was. In Germany and Austria, Apple already lists several providers with RCS entries. Encrypted RCS messages are still in beta.
| Country | With RCS entry | Without RCS entry |
|---|---|---|
| Germany | 1&1, O2, Telekom, Vodafone | – |
| Austria | magenta | A1, Three |
| Switzerland | – | Salt, Sunrise, Swisscom, UPC |
Why it's worth taking a look at December
I expect Swisscom to activate RCS with the final version of iOS 27.3 in December. Their stated goal for 2026 and the new mobile data point in the same direction. Swisscom customers using Android devices would then receive read receipts and high-resolution photos instead of SMS messages. End-to-end encryption (beta) is enabled by default, but only works where the other party also supports it. This is not yet indicated in the data for Wingo.
For Salt customers, however, it will likely take longer. And for everyone: A beta version is not a guarantee of the final version.
Are you with Swisscom or Wingo and have you installed the iOS 27.3 beta? Let us know in the comments if RCS is already active for you.
The information is correct; with iOS 27.3 Beta 1, other providers were also enabled for RCS, including in Australia (Telstra), Denmark (3DK) and possibly soon in Poland (Orange).
It is also interesting that the new provider spusu will offer RSC in all its markets (CH, DE, AT, UK, IT), including E2EE encryption.
The current iOS status of RCS across all global providers can be tracked on the following page:
https://cupboardunderscore.github.io/ios-rcs/