RCS failing on iOS 18 when VPN active

Question

mattch OP

Created Sep ’24

Replies 3

Boosts 1

Participants 2

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"

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Answer 1

DTS Engineer OP

Apple

Sep ’24

Recommended

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"

0

Answer 2

mattch OP

1w

iOS 18.1 is out, and still no response or acknowledgement of this issue. FWIW, the release notes for 18.1 mention a known issue 137974410 related to RCS and MDM - I'm curious if this VPN issue is related. I've left similar feedback on FB15094270, the ticket I had filed.

0

Answer 3

DTS Engineer OP

Apple

1w

I'm curious if this VPN issue is related.

Probably not. That problem seems to be very specific to the MDM restriction on RCS.

As to your main issue, all I can say is that your bug (FB15094270) is with the right folks.

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

0