RCS, or Rich Communication Services, enhances traditional SMS text messaging by allowing businesses to send more dynamic and interactive messages directly to your phone’s standard messaging app. This upgraded messaging format offers a richer communication experience, enabling features such as images and quick reply options, making interactions more engaging and informative.

• Rich Responses: Instead of just plain text, you can get messages with buttons, images, buttons, and even interactive cards.
• More Engaging: It makes communicating with businesses much more interactive and helpful.

How Does it Work?

To get these RCS messages to you, we work with mobile phone companies (like Orange) and Google. Here’s the breakdown:

• Mobile Phone Companies (MNOs):
  • Some phone companies have their own RCS systems.
  • We connect to these systems to send you RCS messages.
• Google Jibe:
  • Many phone companies use Google Jibe, a central hub for RCS.
  • If your phone company uses Jibe, we work through Google to send your messages.
  • Even when a country uses Google Jibe, we still need to get approval from the mobile phone companies, which can take time.
• Like Sending an SMS:
  • Just like SMS, RCS messages go to your phone’s default messaging app.

Where Do You See RCS Messages?

• Android:
  • RCS messages appear in the “Google Messages” app.
• Apple (iPhone):
  • Apple recently announced that iPhones will also support RCS.
  • Until apple fully supports RCS, the message will appear as a normal SMS.
  • Basically, RCS messages go to your phone’s normal messaging app, just like SMS.

Summary

RCS is an enhanced version of SMS that allows businesses to send you more interactive and useful messages. It operates through your mobile carrier and Google, and you’ll find these messages in your regular messaging app.