How does RCS Messaging work? Everything You Should Know About 2024

RCS stands for Rich Communication Services, and it is a type of interactive messaging that has been around for quite a few years now. Built as an alternative to traditional SMS, RCS messaging gives a richer and interactive experience to its users. In the world of marketing and consumer support, RCS chats have become the buzz word. 

Since 2024, RCS messaging is being used by over one billion monthly active users worldwide. And not that even the Apple devices will have RCS support; cross-platform messaging is going to be more seamless and have a wider reach.

Read Blog: Which Messaging Platform is Best for Your Business, SMS, or RCS?

RCS messaging is the technology that enables rich features like read receipts, typing indicators, high resolution photo sharing, group chats, and so much more. RCS chat and messaging should be an integral part of your marketing and sales strategies. Here is everything you need to know about RCS and how it works in 2024.

• What is RCS

Rich Communication Services is a revolutionary messaging protocol that enhances the way a business can get in touch with the customers. As an upgrade to the SMS/MMS, RCS is more comparable to messaging apps like WhatsApp, iMessage, Facebook Messenger, etc. Users can receive and send high quality media over RCS chats. This includes sending and receiving images, audios, and videos and even creating and conducting group chats with multimedia capabilities. 

The big advantages of RCS are that it uses the standard GSMA protocols that aim to unify messaging irrespective of the carrier the user uses worldwide, and it comes as a direct built in feature in the Android and iOS devices. It will replace SMS and other messaging apps altogether in the near future. 

• How does RCS work?

RCS is an internet-based messaging protocol provided by Google for Android Devices and Apply for iOS devices. It uses mobile data or Wi-Fi to function. When two RCS messaging enabled devices are communicating with each other, the messages are transmitted over a secure IP based protocol. In cases where one of the user devices does not support RCS chat, the messaging automatically falls back to regular SMS/MMS. 

• Key Features of RCS

The modern features of the versatile RCS messaging include

• Read receipts: You can see if the message has been read.

• Typing indicators: Know when someone is typing a response.

• High quality media sharing: Including attention grabbing images, videos, GIFs, carousels, audio, and files without compromising on quality. RCS chats can include images up to 2MB and videos up to 10MB

• Real time syncing: The content and replies are transmitted without delay.

• Location sharing: Let your friends, families, and customers know where you are in real-time location sharing. 

• Group chats: Create, manage, and participate in the secure group chats with family, friends, and team members without downloading separate chat apps. 

• Rich cards and Suggested actions: RCS messaging platforms also enable interactive cards that can be used to embed the media and add call-to-action buttons that the users can click on to reply and interact seamlessly. Suggested replies have with brand interaction. 

• Cross-app connectivity: RCS can be opened on browsers, maps, and mobile apps without disruptions. 

• Wallet Integrations: Integration of payment wallets such as GPay or Google wallet make transactions simpler and quicker for everyday essentials. In message payment options also include sharing QR codes. 

• Verified business messaging: Businesses can get a verified accounts to build trust with customers and send interactive messages in RCS chats like receipts, updates, and promotions. 

• Better trust, security, and enhanced branding: Verification authority on RCS texting allows brands to have their brand logo appear on top of the chat conversation along with a verified badge, and brand name.

• RCS messaging platform employs high levels of security measures to build customer trust
• device support.

RCS is more than 16 years old, and its adaptation has been slow by carriers and manufacturers worldwide. However, 2024 has seen a surge in the popularity of RCS. Google has further boosted its spread by offering its own servers for RCS messaging. RCS is widely supported by Android devices, and Apply has also launched RCS in its devices with the iOS 18 rollout. 

• How to enable RCS messaging on your device

Currently, RCS is available in Canada, Mexico, Brazil, the UK, Germany, France, Spain, Italy, and India. In other parts of the world, RCS is available through Google RCS services and local mobile operators. If your device and carrier support RCS chats and messages, you will get a notification in your default messaging app; alternatively, you can go to Google Messages app>Settings>Chat features and follow the prompts to toggle on RCS chats and messaging. 

How can RCS benefit your business?

RCS messaging and chats can be used by businesses in many ways to deliver the best customer experience. Verified messages with interactive images, videos, GIFs, audios, etc., help the business build a close and personal relationship with the customers. Customers trust verified brands more than those without the badge. 

Suggest replies and actions: Buttons improve user experience by making replies faster and more precise. The business gets a chance to engage in meaningful two-way communications with the customers. Interactive messages save the consumers time and eliminate. the frustrating task of navigating through multiple platforms. Here are some ways you can use the power of RCS to boost your business. 

• Learn more from your data

The mantra for getting and retaining customers is knowing what they want and being there when they ask for it. With RCS messaging and chats you can see when the message is delivered, when it is opened, and how it is interacted with. You have access to analytics, customers data, and history to build a strong customer profile which in-turn enables the business to build more targeted future campaigns.

• Customize promotions and specials 

RCS can be used to deliver tailored messages and even direct the consumers to your location or send them to your website. 

• Real time updates 

This can be about orders, scheduling or changing appointments, providing directions, shipping updates, and even engaging in conversations such as giving sports scores, or event updates. 

• Account alerts

RCS messaging is a powerful tool for businesses to reach the customer inboxes with fraud alerts, payment confirmations, service reminders, and links and options for how to proceed. 

Though RCS has its own limitations, such as compatibility issues, and cross platform support, especially for Android to iPhone users, it still has a great potential. RCS user base is expected to reach 2 billion by 2028. RCS is set to become the new standard for messaging in the future. The only thinking limiting the use of RCS is your imagination and budget. Spend some time mastering this app to become a big part of your customer’s daily routine. 

Read Also: RCS Messaging 101: Boost Your Marketing Outside of Text

Written By – Ritika Khanna