[This article was last updated on March 30th, 2024. Jump to the latest update]
Most people, when they buy a new cell phone or want to text someone, don’t spend much time thinking about how the message will be transmitted. Typically, at least in the US, you just open your default messaging app and send a message, with no regard for whether it’s RCS (Rich Communications Suite), SMS, or any other message type. They also never think about how those things differ and why those differences matter.
Of course, some utilize the Messenger system of aftermarket apps such as Facebook, WhatsApp, Telegram, Instagram, or Snapchat. However, many of you may have noticed that there is a significant amount of news centered around RCS, SMS, and iMessage. And in fact, the technical aspects are very different, with important differences.
If you’ve been wondering about that, luckily this article is here to explain just that.
What is RCS?
Now, if you’re using Google’s native Google Messages app, you’re likely already utilizing RCS in some form. Or, if you’re actually using an aftermarket messaging app installed by your carrier. But likewise, you can still use SMS as well, as long as you don’t have an iPhone.
SMS was first developed in 1992 and introduced as standard messaging for mobile phones in 1993. SMS is still widely used on smartphones and, most importantly, how iMessage works. We’ll discuss why in a moment. But simply put, SMS is a standard for text-based messaging with basic features such as real-time delivery. For images and other media, it is often combined with MMS. Specifically, MMS allows text longer than 160 characters, video up to 40 seconds, one image, image slideshow, and audio clips.
Conversely, RCS is the next evolution of universal messaging platforms. It was first introduced to the world in 2007 and was acquired by GSMA in 2008. But only recently has it come to the forefront of a concerted effort to create a virtual replacement for SMS.
Both Google and carriers have worked to introduce RCS and its features as the default platform for smartphone messaging. The search giant acquired a company called Jibe Mobile in 2015 and began implementing the technology as an alternative to SMS and MMS.
Jibe Mobile was the RCS backend company. In short, Jibe Mobile was effectively building an effort to sell RCS server solutions as an intermediary and work directly with carriers. SMS and MMS are alternative technologies. However, a widely reported effort didn’t appear until iMessage was introduced to the iOS platform with iOS 8 in 2011.
The platform’s influence spread to the iPhone, Apple Watch, iPad, iPod Touch, Mac computers, and other Apple products. If you’ve ever had a friend complain that messages appear “green” on their Apple device, it’s because he or she uses iMessage and you use a different platform.
iMessage is basically an internet-based messaging service available only on Apple devices. Imagine it like WhatsApp or Facebook Messenger. It uses the Internet for communication, but falls back to SMS if an Internet connection is not available. When an iMessage user receives an SMS message, the message appears in a green bubble. This is why all messages on your Android phone appear as green bubbles.
Factors preventing RCS from being widely adopted
Now RCS also faces significant challenges. For example, GSMA, a global association of networking companies, released the Universal Profile in 2016 to help carriers and app makers transition to RCS, but did not require support for the Universal Profile to support RCS. The latest version is version 2.4 It was released in late 2019. And there is no corresponding requirement.
The Universal Profile goes a long way to ensuring interoperability. It helps by setting standards and features that must be supported through RCS Messaging across all carriers and messaging apps. One of the biggest issues with RCS completely replacing SMS was that it wasn’t necessary.
Although everyone involved seems eager to release the feature, they haven’t always been on the same page. Additionally, we didn’t always stick to the same features or methods to deliver them. AT&T and Verizon were initially prime examples of these carriers.
[Updated March, 2024] However, as of this writing, Verizon offers RCS through some Samsung devices. If you don’t see RCS branding on Verizon’s site, it’s because the company calls it “advanced messaging.” If you’re a Galaxy user on Verizon, you’ll need to select the service.
Another factor holding back RCS was Apple’s stubborn stance on technology. We all know that Apple didn’t want to adopt RCS messaging. Google tried hard to get Apple to adopt this technology, but Apple stood firm. This negatively impacted the messaging experience between iPhone and Android phones.
For example, it won’t display responsiveness on Android phones even if RCS supports it. Instead, users only see a message about that interaction. Alternatively, depending on the app, emoji stickers or messages are also possible. Likewise, when Android users react to a message, iPhone users also won’t see the results they expect.
However, in late 2023, Apple announced that RCS would be released in iOS 18. This is expected to happen in late 2024. [Updated March 30, 2024: Google revealed that RCS will make it to iOS sometime in the Fall. If that’s the case, then there’s a chance that it will coincide with the launch of the iPhone 16.]
How is RCS better than SMS?
RCS expands the types of content that can be sent to recipients. For example, the character limit for SMS is 160 characters while the character limit is unlimited. This doesn’t stop with text-based content. RCS allows you to send files up to 100 MB in size. This includes images, GIFs, videos, and similar content.
Next, RCS allows you to make IP calls. This technology is also called Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP). This allows you to make and receive calls using your Internet connection rather than your carrier. For example, you can make calls using Wi-Fi. RCS allows you to make both individual and group calls using the Internet.
The technology supports group file transfers, geo-location exchange, client-server and end-to-end encryption, read receipts, delivery receipts, and typing indicators, as well as group chat with full chat functionality.
In short, it brings all the benefits of modern chat services to text messaging. This happens while using a data connection in a way not entirely different from SMS. It also extends to everything by allowing text messaging over Wi-Fi. However, you can also work through desktop platforms.
The differences between RCS and iMessage aren’t necessarily the most important, given that RCS’ capabilities go far beyond SMS or MMS and its similarities to Apple’s iMessage.
what is The important thing to understand is that RCS is a much more advanced solution than SMS. The latter is incredibly outdated in terms of functionality and associated security. Especially considering that SMS has no encryption and RCS has client-server encryption by default. Conversely, end-to-end encryption is being added by more providers. Among them, the native Android messaging app will feature end-to-end encryption starting in 2021.
But if you have a rooted device…
One thing to note is that RCS is not available if you are using a rooted device. Google can tell whether your phone is rooted or not. When that happens, all messages you send will be replaced with SMS. So, this is something to keep in mind before rooting your phone.
Disadvantages of using RCS
The main thing to note when using this technology is that these types of messages require a data connection to work. So unless you have Wi-Fi or an unlimited plan, you’ll be using mobile data. People using Wi-Fi or unlimited data plans don’t need to worry. However, if you have a limited data plan, your data usage may increase.
Next, it’s worth noting that some apps, like Google Messages, allow end-to-end encryption. However, in most cases, both parties must use the same app for end-to-end encryption to work. So, if you use Google Messages and use a third-party messaging platform to message someone, your security will be different.
All of this means that, as of this writing, RCS is nowhere near its potential. This document will be updated if there are any changes. And if carriers agree to properly implement RCS, as Verizon plans, it may be possible in the near future. However, for now, even though RCS gets better, it is not a globally available solution. Or at least not a potential solution.
How do I know if RCS is enabled on my phone?
Although RCS hasn’t had a smooth launch overall, you’ve likely already had access to it. First, there are a ton of carrier apps created to roll out to more customers.
Second, while several technology companies are bringing RCS to the public, Google’s reluctance has led to its decision to bypass carriers. This made RCS available by default on many phones.
That’s because it’s already available in Google Messages, which is effectively an Android SMS app. So if you have Google Messages, you already have access. To use the feature, simply enable it in the app. In fact, the search giant also uses the Universal Profile standard. This makes it easy to use most, if not all, of the expected features.
As mentioned earlier, some Samsung devices can access RCS through Verizon. Well, Samsung Messages also supports RCS Universal Profile. This helps resolve inconsistencies in messaging capabilities and provides encryption for everyday messaging.