What does RCS stand for?

RCS stands for Rich Communication Services. It's a messaging protocol developed by the GSMA as the evolution of SMS.

How is RCS different from SMS?

RCS supports high-resolution media, interactive buttons, carousels, read receipts, typing indicators, and verified sender branding. SMS is limited to 160 characters of plain text with no interactive elements or rich media.

Does RCS work on iPhone?

Yes, starting with iOS 18 in September 2024, Apple added RCS support for person-to-person messaging. iOS 18.1 expanded support for RCS Business Messaging in select markets with certain carriers.

RCS currently supports encryption between senders and Google, as well as between Google and end users. End-to-end encryption is planned for 2025, which will make RCS as secure as WhatsApp for person-to-person messaging.

Will RCS replace SMS?

Not entirely. RCS requires a mobile data connection, while SMS works on cellular networks without internet access. SMS will remain as a reliable fallback option when data connections are unavailable.

How much does RCS business messaging cost?

RCS business messaging typically costs $0.01-0.10 per message depending on volume and provider. While slightly more expensive than SMS, RCS delivers significantly higher engagement and conversion rates.

Which countries support RCS?

RCS has full coverage in Canada, Mexico, Brazil, the UK, Germany, France, Spain, Italy, and India. As of October 2024, 17 countries support A2P RCS Business Messaging, with more launching regularly.

How do I enable RCS on my phone?

For Android: Open Google Messages, go to Settings > Chat features, and toggle on. For iPhone: Ensure you have iOS 18+ and that your carrier supports RCS. It will activate automatically in supported regions.

Can RCS fall back to SMS?

Yes, if a recipient's device doesn't support RCS, messages automatically fall back to SMS. Leading platforms handle this fallback transparently.

How do businesses get verified for RCS?

Businesses register with an RCS platform provider, submit brand information (logo, name, use case), and undergo carrier vetting. Once approved (typically 1-2 weeks), messages display with verified badges and branded sender information.

Top use cases for RCS?

Cart recovery, order tracking, appointment reminders, customer support, promotions with carousels, personalized recommendations, and transactional alerts.

How does RCS compare to WhatsApp?

WhatsApp requires users to download an app and has 2 billion+ users globally with end-to-end encryption. RCS works in native messaging apps without downloads and is growing rapidly with over 1.5 billion users. WhatsApp is better for markets where it's dominant; RCS offers native-app convenience and cross-platform reach.

What Is RCS Messaging: Everything You Need to Know in 2025.

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