Often the butt of many jokes at Apple’s expense, RCS messaging is Android’s answer to iMessage.
While there have been many attempts on Google's part to launch one, there is one thing that Android has always lacked: a true messaging competitor to Apple's iMessage. The solution rests in a standard that replaces SMS, designed as a universal messaging standard – and Google has been one of the biggest proponents of this new standard, actively supporting and pushing its services through the Google Messages app, the default Android messaging app.
But what exactly is RCS, what features does it have and which devices is available on? Read on to find out the answers to all these questions and more.
Rich communication services is a protocol between both mobile operators and phones. The overall aim of RCS is for it to eventually replace SMS and MMS messaging, the formats we're all familiar with as they have been around for years.
RCS was first formed in 2007 and was taken over by the GSM Association (GSMA), the industry trade body that represents mobile operators worldwide, in 2008. In 2016, the GSMA agreed on a Universal Profile – a set of standards that all mobile operators, phone manufacturers and software providers can use to help implement RCS on devices. RCS messaging is very much like WhatsApp, where live chat can take place, including multi-media support, with everything handled via the data network.
It's seen as a rival to Apple's iMessage service, although there are some subtle differences between how these services operate.
For a number of years, RCS has been widely supported by mobile phone networks, software and devices. It's supported by the stock Google Messages app available on Android. The problem in the past has been that mobile phone networks were handed responsibility for support and few moved on it. There are probably a number of reasons for that – dropping SMS or MMS tariffs and working on cross-network functions are likely to have seen RCS as low priority.
However, in June 2019, Google took the reins back. This has seen RCS messaging supported on Android devices and using Google's servers rather than the mobile phone network's servers. Google has said, however, that if a network supports RCS, its own servers can be used for the transfer of messages.
That got the system off the ground, bringing a new messaging platform to Android users – but Google only targeted France and the UK initially. In the UK, the service went live on 28 June 2019 for some users; there was wider roll-out in the US in December 2019.
In the US the major US carriers – Verizon, AT&T, Sprint and T-Mobile – agreed a cross-carrier solution for RCS in a programme called CCMI – Cross-Carrier Messaging Initiative and we're now in a position where RCS is globally available and interoperable, with the exception of Russia and China.
At Google I/O 2023, Google said there were over 800 million monthly RCS users – and many Android users will have become familiar with using it.
Firstly, you should use the Google Messages app and make sure it's the default messaging app (while other apps will support it, Google's approach means you need to use its own app).
RCS is something that you have to opt into and when it becomes available via Google or your provider, you will receive a notification asking you to opt in. You'll have to agree to Google's terms and conditions. In more recent times, people signing into a new phone or opening the Messages app will be asked whether they want more advanced messages with chat features.
Any costs will be part of your data plan, but be aware that if you have no data, messages will not be sent – and you'd have to turn off Chat to send those messages via the SMS system instead.
The biggest advantage RCS Messaging has over SMS – and the reason it was implemented in the first place – is that it enables users to send rich, verified messages. This means messages will be able to carry more information, so users can send things like photos, videos and audio messages to one another.
They will be able to carry out video calls with one another from directly within the messaging app, rather than having to rely on third-party software. Group messages are possible, and little things such as read receipts and indicators to show other users are typing a message will be included as well. RCS messages will also do away with the 160 character limit currently found in SMS messages.
Businesses will be able to use RCS Messaging to send things like boarding passes for airlines, package delivery notifications and credit card fraud alerts.
They're features that Apple iMessage, WhatsApp and Facebook Messenger have offered for some time, but Android phones have gone without in a default messaging application. For many, having one app to handle everything will be key – and whether the new CCMI in the US will just let people use the Google app remains to be seen.
RCS messages rely on data in order to be sent between users, and so messages are sent with client-to-server encryption. The protocol should also prevent spam messages from reaching your device, as for a company to be able to send a message via RCS, they have to go through a brand verification process. RCS messages received from companies will have the company's name in the sender info, rather than just a mobile phone number – so it's in a better position than SMS.
Following the discovery of code relating to end-to-end encryption in an unreleased version of Google Messages it was clear that Google was planning to make this move and it went into beta in November 2020. From June 2021, end-to-end encryption is now part of Chat in Google Messages. To verify if you're sending an encrypted message, just look for the lock next to the send arrow in the messaging app.
Many companies, including operators, manufacturers and software providers have pledged their support for RCS Messaging, but by far and away the biggest supporter is Google. The technology giant has been trying to increase the adoption of RCS messaging in recent years, as it wants to implement it in all Android phones. Google is rolling out the new features afforded by RCS as "chat" and it is part the existing Android Messages app – alongside SMS and MMS.
While the app on Android phones is now widespread – you can download it from Google Play – the rate of adoption and success of RCS messaging depends on the mobile operators. At the moment there are variations of the RCS protocol, so phones using RCS on some networks aren't supported elsewhere. It's these interoperability issues that the GSM Association's Universal Profile aims to eliminate and something that Google has tackled.
If you send an RCS message to someone who's phone or mobile network don't support it, it will be sent as a regular text message, but a lot of work is underway to resolve that. For example, Google and Samsung have been collaborating to ensure that respective RCS apps work together through Android Messages and Samsung Messages.
There are currently 60 supporters of RCS Messaging, broken down into 47 mobile operators, 11 OEMs and 2 OS providers. A big omission is Apple, and whether Apple will cooperate with RCS remains an unknown. Currently, communication between iPhone and Android devices reverts back to SMS if you're not using a separate app, like WhatsApp. With increasing cohesion and privacy across the rest of the smartphone world, Apple might see that it's in the minority and the arguments for not supporting RCS might pale.
Mobile operators
OEMs
OS providers
Apple is noticeably absent from the list of OEMs that support RCS. The Cupertino tech giant hasn't said whether it will eventually support the protocol or not, but for now it isn't willing to adopt it.
If Apple doesn't adopt RCS, many smartphone users will still likely rely on apps such as WhatsApp and Facebook Messenger to message friends and family between Android and iOS, so that they can send photos, videos and other rich information.
Just what effect this will have on RCS' success remains to be seen – although ultimately, with Apple already offering iMessage to its users, it might never see the need to expand rich messaging to interact with users of other platforms.
Through 2022 and 2023, we've seen Google suggest that Apple adopts RCS on a number of occasions – implying that would lead to more secure messaging for all users, regardless of platform.
Chris has been a tech journalist since 2008 and during his time at Pocket-lint.com has sat in the Reviews Editor job before taking the chair as Editor. Chris is responsible for the editorial content of Pocket-lint, working across all sections of the site and contributing to all aspects of the site’s direction.

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