What is RCS messaging, and why is it important to Android?

Rich Communication Services (RCS) is the latest savior for cross-device messaging. Google is pushing RCS heavily and it's being adopted by all major carriers. If you have an Android phone, RCS will be a standard feature. It helps to understand what people are talking about, just like with all things. There is a lot of information on RCS online, but let's not waste our time. Let's get to the point and discuss what RCS really is and why it matters. What is RCS?
Source: Google

RCS, which is a set communication standards for SMS and MMS and calling, makes text messages feel more like messaging apps such as WhatsApp, Telegram and Facebook Messenger. It aims to make texting more modern and provide the same features as messaging apps. VPN Deals: A lifetime license costs $16, with monthly plans starting at $1. Although text messages and phone calls work well, they are not very useful and do not make full use of the network's capabilities. Their primary goals were to create a better contact list that includes more information about your contacts, if possible, and ensure they have received the message you sent.

Create a better messaging platform that allows for extras such as instant chat, emojis and data sharing between participants.

Enhance your calls with video calling and data sharing features in real time. This sounds like something your phone does already (and does well), but the secret is that it is all part your phone service. It will work on any phone that can send or receive texts and calls, and without you downloading any additional app. RCS improves texting with rich messages, media and large groups. It was also a brilliant idea by the GSM Association, who runs Mobile World Congress every other year. They created the RCS Steering Committee a year later to promote the idea of supporting it to all phone carriers around the world. Since then, they've refined and expanded the standards and released new tools under the RCS umbrella. Although the technical aspects of the standards have been modified, the core goal remains the same: to make phone service more efficient and communicate better without the need for additional downloads from app stores or carriers. There has been mixed responses from phone manufacturers, carriers, and developers. Google has been leading the RCS rollout, working with Android phone companies and carriers to support RCS by default and officially. However, it is slow-going. Google finally decided to roll out RCS features in Google Messages. Anyone can enable them. RCS's effectiveness is uncertain. It all depends on how well your carrier supports it. This is a good thing.

Source: Jerry Hildenbrand/Android Central

You don't have any to do, and your chats become better. This sounds like a win for me. Google pushing RCS by itself is a positive thing. This is a different platform than any other rich messaging services we have used. It doesn't matter if you have a particular phone or brand. You don't have to chat with only people who have the same phone as you. While you can send messages in the same way as before, some phones will have more features. Chatting with someone on a phone without RCS or opting out is just the same. No harm, no foul. You will need to know a few details about RCS and how it differs from third-party chat apps. Encryption RCS messages do not contain encryption at the end. The messages are encrypted while they travel from you to a service provider (Google or another carrier), and then from the provider to the destination. However, the provider has access to them. Google claims that messages will be deleted after they are received. However, it may keep attachments until all recipients have downloaded them. You can add end-to-end encryption to RCS. However, until then, it is important to be aware that your messages will still be accessible by the service provider. Google has enabled encryption within the Messages app, so if it is used, you are covered.

RCS messages do not contain encryption at the end. The messages are encrypted while they travel from you to a service provider (Google or another carrier), and then from the provider to the destination. However, the provider has access to them. Google claims that messages will be deleted after they are received. However, it may keep attachments until all recipients have downloaded them. You can add end-to-end encryption to RCS. However, until then, it is important to be aware that your messages will still be accessible by the service provider. Google has enabled encryption in the Messages App so that you are covered if you use it. There are no multiple devices, at least not in the same way that iMessage allows. RCS is still dependent on your phone number, just like regular texting. You won't receive messages on a tablet or computer unless your phone is actually the device sending and receiving the messages, such as with Messages on the Web.

iMessage does not allow this, at least not in the same way. RCS is still dependent on your phone number, just like regular texting. You won't receive messages on a tablet or computer unless your phone is actually the device sending and receiving the messages, as with Messages for Web. There is no central user database Service like Facebook Messenger and iMessage that keeps track of who uses the service and how. Google Messages with RCS enable sends a query asking the recipient's default message app if it is RCS capable. If it answers the question, both the recipient and the receiver will be able use RCS. If it does not answer, you can return to regular SMS.

Messages and Facebook Messenger have a database that tracks who uses the service, how often. Google Messages with RCS Enabled sends a query asking the recipient's default message app if it is RCS capable. If it answers the question, both the recipient and the receiver will be able use RCS. If it does not answer, you can return to regular SMS. Although it's not accessible everywhere, Google is pushing RCS with its own Messages app. However, there are still incompatibilities and issues with certain carriers and countries. Things get even more complicated when you start to talk about group messages among people from different regions. RCS is a positive thing. RCS is the next evolution in SMS and, once it's properly implemented, it will be a standard messaging protocol for all Android users. Although it won't take away a lot of market share from WhatsApp, WeChat or Facebook Messenger, it will make the chat experience better for everyone who uses them or communicates over SMS. Now we just need to wait for the rollout to actually occur. What carriers and apps use RCS technology?

Source: Android Central

Many carriers use RCS. However, not all use it all and offer a service that you can share with others. All of the standard-compliant devices and carriers must support RCS in order for it to work as intended. Companies support only what makes them money, or what they have to support. RCS is no exception. Although the majority of U.S. carriers have embraced RCS, branding and implementation are still inconsistent. The GSMA keeps a list of RCS-using carriers around the globe. Although it is impressive to see the largest carriers in the world on the list, it is also a very small list given the sheer number of carriers worldwide. This is an attempt to convince others to support RCS. It doesn't tell all the story. We'll try to. Let's start with our carriers, as we are based in the U.S. Verizon, AT&T and T-Mobile as well as US Cellular and Google Fi support RCS. It is branded differently by each carrier. Some call it RCS while others call it Universal Profile, Advanced Messaging, or Chat. It can be confusing, but once you are certain that your carrier supports it, all is well. While carrier support is more important that device-level support in my opinion, you still need both. Both iOS and Android support the features you require. Android, iOS, Windows, and Windows can all support full RCS standards if they are used with compatible apps. Apple's macOS does not offer the same support. This puts RCS at a disadvantage. Apple would prefer to use iMessage, as it is compatible with MacBooks. However, network support is less important than device support. If people wanted it, even Apple would offer an RCS-compliant version of iMessage. Google Messages is the best way to make sure that your Android phone uses RCS for messaging. Although the built-in messaging apps of most modern phones from supported carriers will work with RCS, they are not always perfect. Samsung's new messaging app supports RCS, but that is the default for many people. You can also download Messages from Google Play Store to any smartphone. This means that RCS is available to many people worldwide. Many people don't have access to RCS. Everyone must support the RCS industry initiative to ensure that things work as intended. Things are moving in the right direction, and 2021 will be a better year than they were a year ago. This is why Android is so important.