What is RCS? (Rich Communication Services)

KomalJain · ‎04-02-2020

RCS stands for Rich Communication Services. This new standard of messaging replaces SMS text messaging and MMS. RCS makes it fast and easy to send group texts, share high-resolution images and video, and receive updates.

How is RCS Different from Text Messaging?

The difference between RCS and SMS text messages is that RCS adds features that MMS and SMS text messages don’t have. RCS turns text messaging into a more interactive, actionable, feature-rich conversational experience. It brings the rich functionality offered in messaging apps like iMessage, Facebook Messenger and WhatsApp directly to the native messaging app built into your phone.

The Differences Between RCS, SMS and MMS:

RCS messages aren't limited to 160 characters.
RCS sends higher quality picture messages than SMS.
RCS shows read receipts and typing indicators like iMessage.
RCS adds more dynamic group chat features.
RCS integrates location sharing.
RCS supports video calls by default.
RCS allows you to brand your messages.
RCS verifies message senders.
RCS receives and sends documents.
RCS incorporates action buttons into messages.

How Does RCS Work?

RCS is part of what many carriers call the Advanced Messaging standard. It improves on text messaging functionality that comes with most phones by default.

Think of Rich Communication Services messaging as being similar to mobile apps like Facebook Messenger, iMessage, WeChat, and WhatsApp.

What Can You Do With RCS?

Millions of businesses already rely on SMS to communicate. They use text messaging for credit card fraud alerts, flight status updates, and package delivery notifications to customers. Starting in 2020, RCS will expand these types of capabilities. Below are a list of current and expected RCS features that businesses will be able to utilize.

RCS Features:

Add Branding and Business Verification

Custom color palettes
Branded logos and icons
Verified business addresses and senders

Improve Customer Service and User Experience:

Suggested action buttons
Quick button replies
Embedded rich cards
Location sharing
Maps integrations
Calendar and Scheduling integrations
Invoicing and payment integrations

Make Messaging Richer and More Conversational:

Multi-device messaging, voice, and video
Read receipts
Typing indicators
1-to-1 and group chat administration
High-definition images and video
QR Codes
Voice to text audio messaging
Digital assistant integrations

File transfers
Verified sending
Live shared sketching sessions

Which Carriers Support RCS

On October 24th 2019, the big four carriers issued a joint press release committing to wide-spread RCS implementation on all Android devices in 2020. The carries named this joint venture the “Cross Carrier Messaging Initiative (CCMI)”.
However, the press release gives no specific timeline for full RCS support. Until we get more details on this initiative, below is a description of what each carrier supports in terms of RCS and the Universal Profile.

Sprint

Sprint was the first mainstream US carrier to implement RCS. Their network is up-to-date with the latest Universal Profile and all Sprint Android-powered devices can utilize RCS messaging to communicate with Sprint customers and non-Sprint carriers around the world. Since 2017, all new Android devices from Sprint have come preloaded with Android Messages.

Sprint RCS Capable Phones: All Android devices officially released on Sprint.

T-Mobile

T-Mobile has an RCS implementation they call Advanced Messaging. Advanced Messaging supports read receipts, typing indicators and 10MB worth of multimedia file sharing. As of June 2018, T-Mobile supports Universal Profile 1.0.

With Universal Profile 1.0, users get larger file transfer and 100 participant group chats, but this is currently limited between T-Mobile subscribers. T-Mobile is working with Google to implement newer Universal Profile standards soon, but as of November 2019, it hasn't implemented this globally.

T-Mobile RCS Capable Phones:

Samsung Galaxy S7
Samsung Galaxy S7 Edge
Samsung Galaxy S7 Metro-variance
Samsung Galaxy S8
Samsung Galaxy S8+
Samsung Galaxy S8 Active
Samsung Galaxy S8 Metro-variance
Note 8
Note 9
OnePlus 6T

AT&T

AT&T also calls its RCS implementation Advanced Messaging. Their implementation supports the RCS Universal Profile 1.0 with larger file transfer, enhanced group chat features, read receipts and typing indicators. Unfortunately, these features are only compatible with other eligible AT&T Advanced Messaging-capable smartphones.

AT&T RCS Capable Phones (Samsung):

Samsung A10e
Samsung Galaxy Note8
Samsung Galaxy Note9
Samsung Galaxy Note10
Samsung Galaxy Note10+
Samsung Galaxy S7
Samsung Galaxy S7 edge
Samsung Galaxy, S7 active
Samsung Galaxy S8
Samsung Galaxy S8+
Samsung Galaxy S9
Samsung Galaxy S9+
Samsung Galaxy S10e
Samsung Galaxy S10
Samsung Galaxy S10+

Verizon

Verizon’s Advanced Messaging (RCS) service does not currently support the Universal Profile. Advanced Messaging is currently only available for the Samsung Galaxy S9/S9+ smartphones but will be added to more devices in the future. Google Pixel 3 and Pixel 3 XL users have more options with Chat. Verizon plans to extend support for Universal Profile to all their Android-powered devices.

Verizon RCS Capable Phones:

Samsung Galaxy S9
Samsung Galaxy S9+
Google Pixel 3
Google Pixel 3 XL

How to Enable RCS on Your Android Device

Download Google’s Messages app.
Open the Messages app.
Tap the vertical dot settings button at the top-right of the app.
Tap Settings.
Tap Chat features.
If “Enable chat features” toggle is off, tap once to turn RCS on.
RCS is already enabled if “Enable chat features” toggle is on.

#GalaxyTechfluencer

immi007 · ‎04-03-2020

good,
but
those are for foreign carriers...

RCS is also available in India.

my version

https://r2.community.samsung.com/t5/Tech-Talk/Rich-Communication-Services-in-India/td-p/3889911

Anonymous · ‎04-09-2020

Hi please sign the petition for Note 9 series...even though you are a J series user..we need support

https://www.change.org/p/change-org-to-get-what-we-deserve?recruited_by_id=1bf27000-7971-11ea-9d4b-3...

Anonymous · ‎04-10-2020

Hi please sign the petition for Note 9 series before you loose the oppurtunity to get great features

https://www.change.org/p/change-org-to-get-what-we-deserve?utm_content=cl_sharecopy_21408286_en-GB%3...

MDPat · ‎11-26-2021

Does rcs send messages to multiple devices, if I disable it it would not send the messages to different device than my handset correct?

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