Android to Allow Text Message Editing for Messages Delivered to iPhones
With the debut of Rich Communication Services (RCS) on iPhone last year, the experience of texting from iOS to Android noticeably improved. As stated by Apple on its website, RCS enables delivery receipts, read receipts, and typing indicators for messages originating from non-Apple devices. It’s a positive development, yet there is always potential for enhancement. Fortunately, another anticipated RCS feature seems to be approaching a public launch.
As noted by Android Authority on Tuesday, the rollout of a new RCS Universal Profile earlier in 2025 has seemingly paved the way for cross-platform text editing. Apple introduced the capability to edit and unsend texts in iOS 16, but this was restricted to exchanges between two iOS devices. Likewise, Android users could only edit texts to fellow Android devices. As RCS Universal Profile 3.0 gets introduced, some Android users can now edit messages sent to iPhones.
It remains unclear who has access to this feature, but there’s a straightforward method to check if you do. Android phone users can dispatch an RCS message to an iPhone and then press and hold the sent text. At the top of the display, a pencil icon should appear. Tap that icon, and the reply box will be filled with the original text, which you can now modify.
According to Android Authority, the function was effective when texting iPhones operating on iOS 18.5 as well as the iOS 26 beta. They were able to edit sent text messages within the same 15-minute timeframe that each platform adheres to.
Unfortunately, a significant issue exists with the feature currently. While the edited text appears as intended on the Android user’s side, the iOS user receives a second message containing the edited text marked with an asterisk.
In summary, the feature is evidently not yet ready for mainstream use. Android Authority also noted that only a few other users have reported experiencing this feature, including this Redditor. At present, just a limited number of testers can access the feature, but one can hope for a broader rollout being prepared for later this year.
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