Text messaging has been used for over three decades, with its underlying technology being quite old and, in some cases, needs to be updated. The history behind emojis and group chats is extensive.
So, what sets Short Messaging Services (SMS) apart from Multimedia Messaging Services (MMS)? And how does Rich Communication Services (RCS) fit into the picture? Why should these distinctions matter to you, and how do they affect iPhone and Android users?
Let’s explore these messaging platforms and how they influence your conversations with friends and family.
The evolution of text messaging
Although SMS technology was initially developed in 1984, it wasn’t widely used until the early 1990s.
The first SMS text message, “Merry Christmas,” was sent in December 1992 by Vodafone engineer Neil Papworth from his 2.1-kilogram Orbitel 901 to his boss, Richard Jarvis, who did not respond.
By the following year, SMS was incorporated into Nokia’s entire range of GSM phones, and it was commercially available on most carriers by 1995. The rest is well-known history.
Today, SMS remains highly valued for its reliability and widespread availability. It can be used on virtually any phone, from basic feature phones and traditional flip phones to the latest smartphones like Apple’s iPhone 15 Pro Max and Samsung’s Galaxy S23 Ultra.
SMS functions on all carriers and across different networks without requiring a data plan, using the same channels as voice calls. In contrast, Apple’s iMessage depends on cellular data or Wi-Fi; otherwise, it defaults to the less preferred green bubble SMS.
In 2002, recognizing the limitations of the text-only SMS standard in the era of camera phones, the Multimedia Messaging Service (MMS) was introduced with the Sony-Ericsson T68i.
MMS extended SMS capabilities by enabling users to send images, audio clips, and up to 40 seconds of video, although the resolution was relatively low by modern standards.
Given the widespread availability of SMS and MMS, it’s no surprise that these messaging services remain among the most popular. Since SMS is integrated into virtually every phone, you can easily message anyone with their phone number.
There’s no need to know their device type—simply enter their number, type your message, and hit send.
However, SMS and MMS come with their own set of frustrations. Despite their ease of use, modern smartphones can only do so much to address these limitations. For instance, SMS messages are restricted to 160 characters per message.
While built-in messaging apps on iOS and Android can split and reassemble these messages to appear as one, the character limit still exists.
The rise of more advanced messaging apps on today’s smartphones indicates that many people prefer better options for their essential conversations.
To address the need for a more advanced universal messaging standard, the GSM Association (GSMA), a global trade organization composed of cellular carriers, introduced Rich Communication Services (RCS) as the next evolution beyond SMS and MMS.
What is RCS?
RCS isn’t as new as it might seem; it predates both iMessage and WhatsApp. The GSMA proposed the RCS standard in 2007, just five years after the launch of MMS.
The association recognized the need to modernize the aging messaging system for the upcoming smartphone era. However, with numerous carriers and device manufacturers involved, RCS struggled to gain significant traction.
It wasn’t until Google took the initiative that RCS attracted more interest. In 2015, Google acquired Jibe Mobile, and by early 2016, the company announced its commitment to advancing RCS. Later that year, Google collaborated with Sprint to introduce RCS on that carrier’s network.
In 2019, the major U.S. carriers—AT&T, T-Mobile, and Verizon—launched RCS initiatives. At that time, Sprint was being acquired by T-Mobile, making Google’s existing RCS partnership with Sprint less significant.
The carriers’ plan, called the Cross Carrier Messaging Initiative (CCMI), aimed to develop an RCS system that wouldn’t create a competing messaging service without their participation and share of the market.
Ultimately, the collaboration failed, leaving Google in a dominant position with RCS. This turn of events might have been beneficial, as the CCMI intended to develop its own standalone RCS app, which would have added another third-party messaging option.
In contrast, Google had already incorporated RCS into its rebranded Google Messages app, fulfilling its role as a replacement for SMS.
Instead, carriers and manufacturers have increasingly adopted Google Messages as the default messaging app for their devices.
Even Samsung, which offers its own RCS-compatible Samsung Messages app, designates Google Messages as the default on its latest smartphones.
While Samsung Messages is preinstalled and can be the default for those who prefer it, it utilizes the same RCS standard as Google Messages.
Google has also enhanced RCS with its features, including end-to-end encryption in Google Messages, a capability not included in the RCS Universal Standard.
Will RCS take over from SMS?
RCS is intended to succeed SMS as the next-generation messaging protocol. However, SMS will likely be around for a while.
RCS requires a mobile data connection, similar to iMessage, WhatsApp, and other messaging apps, while SMS operates over a voice-only cellular connection. SMS will remain a backup when Wi-Fi or cellular data is unavailable.
The Google Messages app handles this transition between RCS and SMS, just as Apple’s Messages app has managed iMessage and SMS.
RCS is unlikely to be adopted by feature phones. Many people still prefer or need basic phones for simple tasks like making calls, and some feature phones are even more durable than high-end smartphones, making them ideal for demanding work environments.
Therefore, SMS will remain necessary for communicating with these devices.
As RCS continues to develop and become the norm for smartphones, the use of traditional SMS is expected to diminish significantly.
What is RCS Chat?
You might have encountered the term “Chat” concerning Google’s early adoption of RCS. Initially, this was the branding used for Google’s specific RCS implementation.
However, in recent years, Google’s version of RCS has become the most widely recognized, leading the company to phase out the “Chat” branding.
Today, RCS is often associated with Google’s implementation rather than the RCS Universal Standard. While both are compatible, Google’s version includes additional features not present in the open standard, such as end-to-end message encryption.
This is possible because Google’s RCS operates on its Jibe platform, which, like Apple’s iMessage, is open to carriers to facilitate the rapid adoption of RCS across networks.
As RCS adoption expands, the differences between implementations will become more significant.
For example, Google Messages users will not benefit from end-to-end encryption when sending RCS messages to users of other RCS apps, such as Samsung Messages, unless those apps have incorporated Google’s specific extensions to the RCS protocol.
However, the RCS Universal Standard includes various modern messaging features that are accessible on all RCS-enabled devices.
These features encompass longer message lengths, high-resolution photos and videos, read receipts, typing indicators, group chats, stickers, reactions, and more.
Who backs RCS?
RCS operates as a carrier-side service, which still relies on carrier support. While RCS is becoming more recognized, some carriers use names like Advanced Messaging Services, Joyn, and SMS Plus (SMS+), which are alternative labels for RCS. Around 55 carriers globally support RCS, including all major carriers in North America.
However, some carriers have developed versions of RCS that are compatible only with their proprietary messaging apps.
For instance, Verizon initially partnered with Samsung to offer Advanced Messaging Services through Samsung Messages, but Samsung later shifted to Google’s more open RCS solution.
Fragmentation continues to be an issue, but most carriers have adopted the RCS Universal Standard as a foundation. The main differences now are additional features like end-to-end encryption.
For example, Canada’s Bell Mobility has announced it will stop supporting RCS in Samsung Messages and is recommending customers switch to Google Messages to continue using RCS.
Is RCS available on the iPhone?
After years of resisting RCS, Apple recently surprised everyone with an announcement that it will implement RCS by the end of 2024.
This update is expected to be part of iOS 18; however, it won’t replace iMessage. Apple has confirmed that RCS messages will still appear as green bubbles, similar to SMS/MMS messages, though it’s hoped that Apple might use a different shade of green to help users differentiate between them.
As expected, Apple will support only the essential RCS Universal Standard, which excludes end-to-end encryption (E2EE) as that is a Google-specific extension to RCS.
If the GSMA adopts E2EE in the future, Apple will likely support it, but for now, RCS messages exchanged between Android and iPhone users will not be encrypted.
While this is positive news for iPhone users who frequently interact with Android users, it won’t significantly impact communication within Apple’s ecosystem.
iMessage already provides features beyond the RCS Universal Standard or Google’s version, such as end-to-end encryption (E2EE), message editing and unending, and its own set of reaction tapbacks, stickers, and iMessage Apps.
Additionally, unlike RCS, which is limited to cellular phones, iMessage also functions on Macs and iPads and allows messaging through email addresses.
How can I use RCS?
The great thing about RCS is that you don’t need to install any additional apps or go through complicated steps to use it. It generally works seamlessly as long as both parties’ phones and carriers support RCS.
If you’re using Google Messages and your carrier supports RCS, it should be activated automatically when you set up your phone. Sometimes, you might need to enable it the first time you open Google Messages.
To adjust RCS settings, open the Messages app, tap your profile photo in the top-right corner, and go to Messages Settings > RCS chats.
Once RCS is activated, it is like sending a regular text message. If the recipient’s device supports RCS, your message will be sent via RCS; if not, it will revert to SMS.
During an RCS conversation, your message bubbles will appear in a darker blue compared to standard SMS/MMS messages, and you’ll see read receipts and typing indicators similar to those found in many third-party messaging apps.
The future looks promising for RCS
Although RCS faced challenges in its early stages, Google’s efforts to establish RCS infrastructure for carriers and promote Google Messages as the default messaging app for Android devices have significantly advanced its development.
With Apple now adopting RCS, the final barrier to making it a universal communication standard has been overcome, moving it beyond an Android-only platform.
It’s important to note that RCS is unlikely to replace third-party messaging apps like WhatsApp fully. Since RCS is operated by mobile carriers and tied to phone numbers, it will remain primarily for smartphones.
Devices such as tablets and laptops might connect through a smartphone, similar to how Apple’s Messages app integrates with SMS/MMS, but RCS remains a cellular technology.
Nonetheless, unlike third-party apps that restrict communication to users of the same app, RCS is progressing toward becoming as widespread as SMS, allowing communication with anyone with a smartphone and a phone number.
