Apple's iOS 18.2 update to end Green Bubbles feature next week

Apple's iOS 18.2 update will end the green bubble divide, prioritising security with encrypted messaging.

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Apple’s upcoming iOS 18.2 update, set to release next week, promises a host of new features, including the much-anticipated launch of Apple Intelligence tools.

However, the update’s biggest surprise may be the end of the dreaded “green bubbles” that have plagued iPhone users for years.

For many in the United States, the distinction between blue and green message bubbles on iPhones has become a symbol of platform loyalty and security.

Blue bubbles indicate messages sent via Apple's secure iMessage service, while green bubbles denote messages sent via SMS, which lack end-to-end encryption.

While this may seem trivial, the green bubble has become a cultural identifier, especially in the US, where iMessage is a dominant communication platform.

The issue of green bubbles has been particularly prevalent in the US, where WhatsApp has struggled to gain a significant foothold, despite efforts by Meta and CEO Mark Zuckerberg to push the app into the mainstream.

WhatsApp recently celebrated reaching 100 million users in the US, but its rise has not been enough to eclipse the dominance of iMessage, particularly in social circles dominated by Apple devices.

The shift towards ending the green bubble distinction is not merely about social preferences—it has roots in security concerns.

The green bubbles symbolize a lack of encryption in SMS messaging, an issue that has drawn the attention of both Chinese and US authorities.

According to reports, hacking groups associated with China’s Ministry of State Security (MSS) infiltrated US telecommunications networks, prompting the FBI to issue warnings about the vulnerabilities of unsecured SMS communication.

While the green bubble saga has been more of a cultural phenomenon than a technical issue, the security implications of SMS messaging are undeniable.

SMS lacks the end-to-end encryption that services like iMessage and WhatsApp offer, making messages more vulnerable to interception.

By ending the green bubble distinction, Apple aims to streamline messaging and improve security for its users. As a result, users of iPhones and Android devices alike will soon see more secure, encrypted messaging by default, eliminating the glaring visual divide between blue and green bubbles.

Apple’s decision to address this issue in iOS 18.2 reflects the company’s ongoing focus on enhancing security and user experience.

The end of the green bubble will be a welcome change for many, but it also serves as a reminder of the growing importance of encryption in today’s digital communication landscape.