What’s RCS and the way is it completely different than SMS or iMessage?

Because the daybreak of smartphones, there’s been a battle between messaging apps. Regardless of many makes an attempt on Google’s half, there has by no means been a real messaging competitor to Apple iMessage.

Google’s been pushing one other common commonplace: RCS. The standoff between the tech giants has been relatively public, with Google goading Apple on many events, and Apple refusing to assist RCS for a few years. Then, on November 16, 2023, Apple pivoted, saying it would support RCS in 2024. A second of unity is coming in cross-device messaging, it appears.

Since Verizon embraced Google’s RCS protocol in February 2024, all Android telephones and each main cell service within the US now assist RCS messaging. However what precisely is RCS, what options does it have, and which gadgets is it out there on?

What’s RCS?

The way forward for textual content messaging is right here… virtually

Wealthy communication companies (RCS) is a protocol between cell operators and telephones. The general purpose of RCS is to switch SMS and MMS messaging, the codecs we’re all accustomed to as they’ve been round for years. RCS messaging could be very very like WhatsApp, the place dwell chat can happen, together with multimedia assist, with all the pieces dealt with by way of the information community.

The largest benefit RCS Messaging has over SMS — and the explanation it was carried out within the first place — is that it improves on the SMS/MMS messaging expertise, a lot in the identical approach that iMessage does. This implies RCS messages can carry extra data, so customers can ship issues like full-resolution pictures, movies, and audio messages to 1 one other. Standard options like typing indicators and browse receipts are additionally a part of RCS messaging.

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Customers can perform video calls with each other immediately throughout the messaging app, relatively than having to depend on third-party software program. Group messages are doable, and RCS messages additionally get rid of the 160-character restrict presently present in SMS messages. Companies may also use RCS Messaging to ship issues like boarding passes for airways, package deal supply notifications, and bank card fraud alerts. RCS is legitimately higher for everybody.

Is RCS encrypted and safe?

Brief reply: Sure, however not by default

Google Messages makes use of end-to-end encryption to make sure a dialog stays non-public between the sender and recipient. Your conversations are encrypted with a key that solely both participant can entry. You’ll be able to confirm in case you’re presently having an encrypted dialog by on the lookout for the lock icon subsequent to the time stamps on your messages, search for a banner within the thread that reveals a lock icon together with the members’ names, or search for the lock icon on the ship button.

If you wish to verify your dialog is non-public, you may comply with the directions Google lays out here to verify verification codes within the Messages app with particular contacts.

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As a result of an growing majority of Android telephones include Google Messages pre-installed or use it as their default messaging app, most RCS chats ought to be end-to-end encrypted, however encryption is just not a part of the protocol by default. In comments to the press when Apple introduced it was adopting RCS, constructing end-to-end encryption into the bottom protocol was one of many issues the corporate hoped to do.

Which telephones and carriers assist RCS?

RCS is nearly common

Within the US, the most important US carriers — Verizon, AT&T, Dash and T-Cell — have agreed on a cross-carrier resolution for RCS in a program referred to as CCMI — Cross-Service Messaging Initiative — and we’re now able the place RCS is globally out there and interoperable, besides Russia. At Google I/O 2023, Google mentioned there have been over 800 million month-to-month RCS customers.

When you ship an RCS message to somebody whose cellphone or cell community does not assist it, it will likely be despatched as a daily textual content message.

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The textual content messaging panorama has been heating up currently, and the Wealthy Communication Providers (RCS) protocol is enjoying a central position. RCS is a serious improve over the old-school Brief Message Service (SMS) and Multimedia Messaging Service (MMS) requirements which have dominated the North American texting scene for a few years now. RCS is a contemporary alternative that brings with it options first pioneered — and now commonplace — on internet-based direct messaging platforms. These perks embody learn receipts, typing indicators, higher group chat assist, larger high quality picture and video transfers, and, in some instances, encryption. Whereas many of the world has moved on from texting and has as an alternative embraced WhatsApp, Fb Messenger, Viber, and different competing companies, the identical cannot be mentioned for us right here within the north-western hemisphere. In the US and Canada particularly, Apple’s iMessage enjoys a large set up base alongside the continued utilization of conventional SMS textual content messaging. Goo

Does the iPhone assist RCS messaging?

RCS has lastly made it to the iPhone in 2024

When Apple announced its pivot, it dedicated to utilizing the GSMA Common Profile for RCS. The RCS assist that arrived with iOS 18 in September 2024 displays that. Cross-platform messaging between Android and iOS gadgets completely works higher than earlier than and is enriched with issues like audio messages and browse receipts, but it surely’s nonetheless not good. You may nonetheless get a extra feature-complete expertise utilizing Google’s model of RCS in Google Messages or sticking with iMessage.

Inexperienced bubbles have caught round, and Apple helps issues like typing indicators, high-resolution photographs and movies, voice messages, group chats, and file transfers. Notably lacking is any form of end-to-end encryption, although, which could require a change to a special model of the GSMA Common Profile than Apple is presently utilizing. The corporate has shared no plans as to when which may change.

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Involved customers and Google have demanded Apple assist RCS for years. Google has taunted Apple, with execs making statements about how RCS may make all gadgets work higher collectively and extra securely. The corporate’s even gone to city a number of instances in movies and on-line campaigns.

The issue — particularly for customers within the US — is that iMessage is dominant and there is a documented stigma amongst customers towards anybody messaging who is not utilizing iMessage. Apple even makes messages despatched from an Android cellphone (which defaults to SMS/MMS as a result of Apple does not but assist RCS) inexperienced, to distinguish them from blue messages despatched by different folks on iMessage. RCS assist makes issues much more equal now, but it surely’s not clear it will change something culturally.

In the end, Apple’s reasons for adopting RCS have much less to do with Google’s taunts, and extra the elevated stress it is receiving from the EU because of the Digital Markets Act, and that 5G telephones are reportedly required to support RCS in China.

How can I see if I’ve RCS assist on my cellphone?

It ought to be turned on by default, however you are able to do it manually

Firstly, in case you’re an Android consumer, it is best to use the Google Messages app and ensure it is the default messaging app (whereas different apps will assist it, Google’s strategy means you should use its personal app).

1. Open the app and faucet the menu within the high right-hand nook.
2. Choose Messages settings.
3. Choose RCS Chats.
4. RCS Chats will let you know in case you have assist or not, and if it is enabled.

Once you check in to a brand new cellphone and open Google Messages for the primary time, you may be requested if you wish to activate RCS Messaging. When you aren’t prompted, you may flip it on by way of the directions above. In the identical menu, you may additionally discover different choices, similar to controlling typing indicators and browse receipts. Observe that you just want wi-fi or mobile information to ship RCS messages, so there’s additionally the choice to ship an SMS as an alternative if RCS messages cannot be despatched.

When you’re an iPhone consumer, Apple has designed the Messages app for iOS 18 to default to RCS in case your service helps it, however you may also ensure that RCS messaging is enabled within the Settings app.

1. Open the Settings app.
2. Scroll right down to the Apps part and faucet it.
3. Faucet on Messages.
4. Faucet on RCS Messaging beneath the Textual content Messaging part.
5. Be sure that RCS Messaging is toggled on.

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