Do you know what is RCS message? RCS message is a communication protocol designed by GSMA to improve user messaging experience.
It has rich communication features such as read receipts, high-res image and video sending, and application integration. You can turn on the RCS message to enjoy a lot of benefits.
Keep reading through this post. You’ll learn more details about this advanced messaging protocol.
What is RCS Message
Rich Communication Services (RCS) is a communication protocol designed to improve user chat experience. At first, it was designed to replace SMS and MMS on cellular networks. However, Apple didn’t adopt it to protect user data and privacy until the release of iOS 18.
RCS message has more features than SMS, including read receipts, feature integrations, and network dependency. However, it didn’t adopt the end-to-end encryption on iPhone. That’s the reason why Apple didn’t use it for a long time.
You can check the difference between several communication protocols to learn more about the RCS message.
Tip: You can use LightningX VPN to protect your RCS messaging.
RCS Features
RCS can be regarded as an advanced version of SMS. It has many features that SMS doesn’t have. Here are the features of RCS that SMS doesn’t have.
Verified sender: Though SMS adopts end-to-end encryption (E2EE), it doesn’t have the feature of verifying a sender. You can see a person’s identity in an RCS message.
Group chats: RCS message allows you to create a chat group and share high-res photos, videos, and profiles with your family or friends.
Typing indicators: The RCS message allows you to see if a person is typing in the chat box.
Read receipts: As a sender, you can see if your message is sent and read.
App features integration: RCS message allows users to enjoy many features without downloading other apps.
Wi-Fi dependency: Sending an RCS message needs a network connection. However, in some RCS message apps, you can set up a send-later message, e.g. iOS 18 RCS message.
High-Res Multimedia Messaging: You can send high-resolution videos, images, and gifs in an RCS message while SMS doesn’t support it.
Text limits: RCS allows you to send unlimited characters in a single RCS message. SMS only supports 160 characters in a single message.
Coverage: RCS has one billion active Android users and now all the iOS 18 users. SMS covers all the mobile phone users on the planet.
What is RCS Message on Phone
RCS message is now widely used on Android and iOS 18 devices. Many popular streaming apps have adopted it too. Next, I will introduce the RCS message on Android and iPhone and how to turn it off.
What is RCS Message on Android
The RCS Message on Android is Google Messages. It has been adopted by Android for a long time. Almost all Android users can enjoy the benefits of RCS.
Users must have an Android 5.0 or a higher version to enjoy the RCS features on Google Messages. Also, a network connection is needed.
On the Google Messages app, users can create a chat group for private chat, check if a message is read, and share videos, locations, and audio with others.
How to Send and Receive an RCS Message on Android
Here are the steps for setting up the RCS chat on your Android phone.
- Go to the Google Messages app on your Android phone.
- Tap the profile picture in the top right corner of the Google Messages page.
- Tap “RCS chats” at the top of the list.
- Switch on the toggle next to “Turn on RCS chats”. Now you can enjoy the features of RCS.
How to Turn Off RCS Messaging on Android
You can turn off RCS messages on your Android to protect your privacy and send messages more straightforwardly. Here are the steps.
- Navigate to the default messaging app on your Android device.
- Tap the three-dot menu icon in the top-right corner of the page.
- Tap “Settings” from the menu options.
- Look for “Chat features” or “Advanced messaging” in the settings menu.
- Switch off the toggle to turn off the RCS messaging on your Android.
What is RCS Message iOS 18
Finally, Apple has adopted the RCS message in the iOS 18 operating system. Apple didn’t support this advanced messaging because it didn’t adopt EE2E on the iPhone. But now, as more and more users ask Apple to add RCS to Apple devices, Apple has finally made a concession.
Since iOS 18 is out, more and more iPhone users can enjoy RCS messaging. Users can enjoy richer media and delivery and read receipts for those who don’t use iMessage.
However, the RCS message on iPhone is not iMessage. It is a separate messaging app that exists with iMessage on your iPhone running the iOS 18 operating system.
How to Send and Receive an RCS Message on iPhone
Here are the steps for turning on the RCS message on your iPhone.
- Check if your carrier supports RCS. You can go to Settings > General > About > Carrier. If RCS is supported, you’ll see Voice, SMS & RCS. If not, it’ll show Voice & SMS.
- After checking the carrier’s support, you can set up the RCS messaging. Go to Settings on your iPhone.
- Tap Apps at the bottom of the menu.
- Tap Messages. Then tap the toggle next to “RCS Messaging”.
Note: Most carriers including Verizon, AT&T, and T-Mobile support RCS on iPhones running iOS 18.
How to Turn Off RCS Messaging iOS 18
Here are the steps for turning off RCS messaging on your iPhone supporting iOS 18.
- Go to Settings on your iPhone.
- Tap Apps at the bottom of the menu.
- Tap Messages. Then switch off the toggle next to “RCS Messaging”.
The Difference Between RCS, SMS, iMessage, and OTT Messaging Apps
There are various messaging ways in our smartphones. You can check their differences listed below.
RCS: A communication protocol mainly equipped in Android devices and iPhone running iOS 18. It has rich text messaging features such as read receipts, high-res image and video sending, and application integration. It needs a network connection.
SMS: A texting technology used in all mobile phones around the world. It is a native app available on your phone. You can only text within 160 characters and send emojis in a single SMS message. It allows you to send over cellular network so you don’t need a Wi-Fi network connection to send an SMS message.
iMessage: An instant messaging service of Apple. It requires cellular data or Wi-Fi to send and receive messages. Like RCS, you can check the read receipts and share locations, links, and huge media files with others. The difference between RCS and iMessage is that the iMessage chat group allows 32 people to join in while RCS allows 100 people to join in a chat group. Also, iMessage is only supported on iOS devices like iPhones, Macbooks, iPads, etc.
OTT: OTT (Over-the-top) is the messaging app that contains many functions. The common OTT apps include Whatsapp, Telegram, LINE, WeChat, etc. It operates within closed ecosystems unlike RCS allows for interoperability across devices with RCS support.
Tips for Protecting Your Data and Privacy
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What is RCS Message – FAQs
Q: What is the difference between SMS and RCS?
RCS has more text messaging features than SMS. It allows unlimited characters sent in a single RCS message while SMS only allows 160 characters to be sent in a single message. RCS requires a Wi-Fi network connection while SMS doesn’t.
Q: Why does it say RCS in my text messages?
This is because you have turned on the RCS messaging on your phone. You can follow the steps above to turn it off.
Q: Is RCS messaging good or bad?
From the point of security, RCS messaging doesn’t support EE2E on iPhones. However, It adopts many methods to protect your data and privacy from being leaked. A person who wants to chat with you must verify himself. In other aspects, RCS is almost perfect for a user. You can share locations, images, gifs, and videos with others with just one tap.
