What’s RCS and the way is it totally 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 customary: RCS. The standoff between the tech giants has been reasonably public, with Google goading Apple on many events, and Apple refusing to help 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 provider within the US now help RCS messaging. However what precisely is RCS, what options does it have, and which units is it accessible 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 intention of RCS is to switch SMS and MMS messaging, the codecs we’re all conversant in as they’ve been round for years. RCS messaging could be very very like WhatsApp, the place stay chat can happen, together with multimedia help, with every thing dealt with through the info 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 manner that iMessage does. This implies RCS messages can carry extra data, so customers can ship issues like full-resolution images, movies, and audio messages to 1 one other. Well-liked options like typing indicators and skim receipts are additionally a part of RCS messaging.

Associated

What causes iMessages to not sync to your Mac? Plus, how to fix it

A part of being within the Apple ecosystem is having consistency throughout your units. This is get your iMessages syncing to your Mac once more.

Customers can perform video calls with each other instantly throughout the messaging app, reasonably than having to depend on third-party software program. Group messages are doable, and RCS messages additionally dispose of the 160-character restrict presently present in SMS messages. Companies also can 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 personal between the sender and recipient. Your conversations are encrypted with a key that solely both participant can entry. You may confirm if you happen to’re presently having an encrypted dialog by on the lookout for the lock icon subsequent to the time stamps in your messages, search for a banner within the thread that reveals a lock icon together with the contributors’ names, or search for the lock icon on the ship button.

If you wish to affirm your dialog is personal, you’ll be able to comply with the directions Google lays out here to verify verification codes within the Messages app with particular contacts.

1:14

Associated

How to leave a WhatsApp group without anyone knowing

If you have to depart a bunch chat with out making a scene, this is silently depart a WhatsApp group with out drawing consideration to your self.

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 needs to be end-to-end encrypted, however encryption isn’t 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 help RCS?

RCS is sort of common

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

Should you ship an RCS message to somebody whose telephone or cell community does not help it, it will likely be despatched as an everyday textual content message.

Associated

What’s your personal go-to messaging app?

The textual content messaging panorama has been heating up these days, and the Wealthy Communication Providers (RCS) protocol is taking part in a central position. RCS is a significant 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 help, greater high quality picture and video transfers, and, in some circumstances, encryption. Whereas many of the world has moved on from texting and has as a substitute embraced WhatsApp, Fb Messenger, Viber, and different competing companies, the identical cannot be stated for us right here within the north-western hemisphere. In the US and Canada specifically, Apple’s iMessage enjoys an enormous set up base alongside the continued utilization of conventional SMS textual content messaging. Goo

Does the iPhone help 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 help that arrived with iOS 18 in September 2024 displays that. Cross-platform messaging between Android and iOS units completely works higher than earlier than and is enriched with issues like audio messages and skim receipts, nevertheless it’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 pictures 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.

Associated

7 features RCS should steal from Apple iMessage

RCS is coming to iPhone, nevertheless it’s lacking a few of iMessage’s greatest options.

Involved customers and Google have demanded Apple help RCS for years. Google has taunted Apple, with execs making statements about how RCS might make all units work higher collectively and extra securely. The corporate’s even gone to city a number of occasions 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 in opposition to anybody messaging who is not utilizing iMessage. Apple even makes messages despatched from an Android telephone (which defaults to SMS/MMS as a result of Apple does not but help RCS) inexperienced, to distinguish them from blue messages despatched by different individuals on iMessage. RCS help makes issues much more equal now, nevertheless it’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 help on my telephone?

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

Firstly, if you happen to’re an Android person, you must use the Google Messages app and ensure it is the default messaging app (whereas different apps will help it, Google’s method means you have to use its personal app).

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

Once you register to a brand new telephone and open Google Messages for the primary time, you may be requested if you wish to activate RCS Messaging. Should you aren’t prompted, you’ll be able to flip it on through the directions above. In the identical menu, you may additionally discover different choices, equivalent to controlling typing indicators and skim receipts. Notice that you simply want wi-fi or mobile knowledge to ship RCS messages, so there’s additionally the choice to ship an SMS as a substitute if RCS messages cannot be despatched.

Should you’re an iPhone person, Apple has designed the Messages app for iOS 18 to default to RCS in case your provider helps it, however you may as well make certain 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 underneath the Textual content Messaging part.
5. Be certain RCS Messaging is toggled on.

Associated

Forget iMessage: should Apple make AirDrop a cross-platform service?

For years, many have been clamoring for Apple to carry its iMessage and FaceTime companies to competing platforms like Android and Home windows. Usually neglected of the dialog is the corporate’s underappreciated AirDrop system, which helps you to wirelessly switch recordsdata from one iDevice to the subsequent. The service works shortly and effectively, saving you from having to e-mail your self pictures or paperwork. Google has its personal wi-fi switch protocol referred to as Fast Share (née Close by Share), which solely works with Android and ChromeOS. Then there’s Microsoft, which has carried out its personal Home windows Close by Sharing protocol. These options all work effectively sufficient, however they’re proprietary and never totally interoperable throughout working methods. Google has been type sufficient to construct a brand new Fast Share app for Home windows, however good luck sharing a photograph from Android to macOS, or from Home windows to iPadOS. Contemplating how ubiquitous wi-fi file sharing has develop into, and the way uncommon it’s for individuals to make use of a wired connection