RCS failing on iOS 18 when VPN active

When a VPN is active, RCS messaging does not work on iOS 18.

I work on an iOS VPN app, and we were very appreciative of the excludeCellularServices network flag that was released during the iOS 16 cycle. It's a great solution to ensure the VPN doesn't interfere with cellular network features from the cellular provider.

Separately - As a user, I'm excited that iOS 18 includes RCS messaging.

Unfortunately, RCS messaging is not working when our VPN is active (when checking on the iOS 18 release candidate). My guess is that RCS is not excluded from the VPN tunnel, even when excludeCellularServices is true. It seems like RCS should be added in this situation, as it is a cell provider service.

Can RCS be added as a service that is excluded from the VPN tunnel when excludeCellularServices is true? (I've also sent this via feedback assistant, as 15094270.)

Answered by DTS Engineer in 803230022
I've also sent this via feedback assistant, as [FB15094270].

Thanks!

That’s the best path forward for this issue.

Share and Enjoy

Quinn “The Eskimo!” @ Developer Technical Support @ Apple
let myEmail = "eskimo" + "1" + "@" + "apple.com"

I've also sent this via feedback assistant, as [FB15094270].

Thanks!

That’s the best path forward for this issue.

Share and Enjoy

Quinn “The Eskimo!” @ Developer Technical Support @ Apple
let myEmail = "eskimo" + "1" + "@" + "apple.com"

RCS failing on iOS 18 when VPN active
 
 
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