Text messaging has been around for more than 30 years, with its foundational technology being somewhat outdated and needing modernization. The evolution of emojis and group chats has a long history.
So, what differentiates Short Messaging Services (SMS) from Multimedia Messaging Services (MMS)? And where does Rich Communication Services (RCS) fit in? Why do these differences matter, and how do they impact iPhone and Android users?
Let’s examine these messaging systems and how they shape your interactions with friends and family.
The Progression of Text Messaging
Text messaging began with SMS technology, first developed in 1984 but gained widespread use only in the early 1990s.
The first SMS text message, “Merry Christmas,” was sent in December 1992 by Vodafone engineer Neil Papworth from his Orbitel 901 phone 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 by 1995, it was available commercially from most carriers. The rest, as they say, is history.
Today, SMS is still highly valued for its reliability and widespread availability. It works on virtually any phone, from basic features and traditional flip phones to the latest smartphones like the Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max and the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra.
SMS functions across all carriers and networks without requiring a data plan, as it uses the same channels as voice calls.
In contrast, Apple’s iMessage depends on cellular data or Wi-Fi, and defaults to the less preferred green bubble SMS when data is unavailable.
The Multimedia Messaging Service (MMS) was introduced in 2002 with the Sony-Ericsson T68i to overcome the limitations of text-only SMS in the era of camera phones.
MMS enhanced SMS capabilities by allowing users to send images, audio clips, and up to 40 seconds of video, though the resolution was relatively low by modern standards.
The widespread use of SMS and MMS explains their continued popularity. SMS is integrated into nearly every phone, making it easy to communicate using just a phone number.
There’s no need to know the recipient’s device type—simply enter their number, type your message, and send.
Despite their convenience, SMS and MMS come with limitations. Modern smartphones can only address some of these issues. For instance, SMS messages are restricted to 160 characters per message.
Built-in messaging apps on iOS and Android can split and reassemble these messages to appear as one, but the character limit persists.
The rise of more advanced messaging apps on modern smartphones indicates a demand for better options for meaningful conversations.
The GSM Association (GSMA), a global trade body of cellular carriers, introduced Rich Communication Services (RCS) as the next evolution beyond SMS and MMS to meet this need for a more advanced universal messaging standard.
What is RCS?
RCS may seem relatively new, but it predates both iMessage and WhatsApp. The GSMA introduced the RCS standard in 2007, five years after MMS was launched.
The organization aimed to update the aging messaging system in anticipation of the smartphone era. However, with many carriers and device manufacturers involved, RCS needed to gain widespread adoption.
The turning point came when Google took charge. In 2015, Google acquired Jibe Mobile, and by early 2016, the company committed to advancing RCS. Later that year, Google partnered with Sprint to roll out RCS on its network.
In 2019, the major U.S. carriers—AT&T, T-Mobile, and Verizon—initiated their RCS efforts. At that time, Sprint was in the process of being acquired by T-Mobile, which diminished the significance of Google’s partnership with Sprint.
The carriers launched the Cross Carrier Messaging Initiative (CCMI) to create an RCS system to ensure their market involvement and share rather than allowing a competing service to emerge.
Ultimately, the CCMI collaboration fell through, leaving Google in a leading position with RCS. This outcome might have been advantageous, as the CCMI’s plan to develop a standalone RCS app would have introduced another third-party messaging option.
Instead, Google integrated RCS into its revamped Google Messages app, positioning it as an SMS replacement.
As a result, carriers and manufacturers have increasingly adopted Google Messages as the default messaging app on their devices.
Even Samsung, which has its own RCS-compatible Samsung Messages app, now defaults to Google Messages on its newest smartphones.
While Samsung Messages can be the default messaging app, it operates with the same RCS standard as Google Messages.
Additionally, Google has enhanced RCS with features such as end-to-end encryption in Google Messages, which is not part of the standard RCS protocol.
Will RCS Replace SMS?
RCS is designed to be the successor to SMS as the next-generation messaging protocol. Despite this, SMS is expected to remain in use for some time.
Unlike SMS, which operates over a voice-only cellular connection, RCS requires a mobile data connection, similar to other messaging apps like iMessage and WhatsApp. SMS will continue to serve as a fallback when Wi-Fi or mobile data is unavailable.
Google Messages manages the switch between RCS and SMS, similar to how Apple’s Messages app handles iMessage and SMS.
Feature phones are not expected to adopt RCS, as many people still use basic phones for their simplicity and durability, particularly in harsh environments. As a result, SMS will remain essential for communicating with these devices.
As RCS becomes more widespread among smartphones, traditional SMS is anticipated to decrease significantly.
What is RCS Chat?
The term “Chat” was initially used to refer to Google’s early implementation of RCS. Over time, Google’s version of RCS has become the most well-known, leading to the phasing out of the “Chat” branding.
RCS is commonly associated with Google’s specific implementation rather than the RCS Universal Standard. Although both versions are compatible, Google’s RCS includes additional features that are not part of the open standard, such as end-to-end encryption.
This enhancement is made possible because Google’s RCS operates on its Jibe platform, which, similar to Apple’s iMessage, is accessible to carriers to facilitate widespread adoption of RCS.
As RCS usage grows, the differences between various implementations will become more noticeable.
For instance, users of Google Messages will not receive end-to-end encryption when sending RCS messages to users of other RCS apps, like Samsung Messages, unless those apps have adopted Google’s additional RCS features.
Nonetheless, the RCS Universal Standard provides various modern messaging capabilities available across all RCS-enabled devices.
These features include extended message lengths, high-resolution media, read receipts, typing indicators, group messaging, stickers, reactions, and more.
Who Supports RCS?
RCS is a carrier-driven service, meaning it still depends on carrier endorsement. Although RCS is gaining traction, some carriers use alternative names such as Advanced Messaging Services, Joyn, and SMS Plus (SMS+), all of which refer to variations of RCS.
Approximately 55 carriers worldwide, including all major North American providers, support RCS.
Nonetheless, some carriers have created their versions of RCS that work exclusively with their proprietary messaging apps.
For example, Verizon initially collaborated with Samsung to offer Advanced Messaging Services via Samsung Messages, but Samsung has since moved to Google’s more open RCS solution.
Despite ongoing fragmentation, most carriers have adopted the RCS Universal Standard as a base. The primary differences now lie in additional features, such as end-to-end encryption.
For instance, Canada’s Bell Mobility has decided to cease support for RCS in Samsung Messages and is advising customers to switch to Google Messages to continue utilizing RCS.
Is RCS Available on iPhone?
After years of holding out, Apple recently announced that it would support RCS by 2024, a significant shift in its messaging strategy.
This update is anticipated to be included in iOS 18 but will not replace iMessage. Apple has stated that RCS messages will continue to display as green bubbles, similar to SMS/MMS messages. Apple may opt for a distinct shade of green to help users distinguish between them.
Apple will adopt only the core RCS Universal Standard, which does not include end-to-end encryption (E2EE) since that feature is a Google-specific addition to RCS.
If the GSMA incorporates E2EE into the standard in the future, Apple will likely support it. RCS messages exchanged between Android and iPhone users will not be encrypted.
While this development benefits iPhone users who frequently message Android users, it will not change much within Apple’s ecosystem.
iMessage already offers features beyond the RCS Universal Standard and Google’s version, including end-to-end encryption, message editing, and its own set of reaction tapbacks, stickers, and iMessage Apps.
Moreover, unlike RCS, which is confined to cellular phones, iMessage also works on Macs and iPads and allows messaging via email addresses.
How to Use RCS?
One of the advantages of RCS is its simplicity—there’s no need for extra apps or complicated setups. It usually works effortlessly as long as both the sender’s and recipient’s phones and carriers support RCS.
If you’re using Google Messages and your carrier is compatible with RCS, the feature should activate automatically when configuring your phone. Sometimes, you may need to turn it on manually the first time you open Google Messages.
To manage RCS settings, open the Messages app, tap your profile photo in the top-right corner, and navigate to Messages Settings > RCS chats.
Once RCS is enabled, sending messages is as straightforward as using SMS. If the recipient’s device supports RCS, your message will be sent through RCS; otherwise, it will default to SMS.
In an RCS conversation, your message bubbles will appear in a darker blue compared to traditional SMS/MMS messages, and you’ll be able to see read receipts and typing indicators, similar to what you find in many third-party messaging apps.
The Promising Future of RCS
Despite early challenges, RCS has made significant strides, largely thanks to Google’s work in establishing the necessary infrastructure for carriers and positioning Google Messages as the default messaging app on Android devices.
With Apple’s recent decision to support RCS, the major obstacle to becoming a universal communication standard has been removed, allowing it to extend beyond Android devices.
However, it’s unlikely that RCS will completely replace third-party messaging apps like WhatsApp. Since RCS is managed by mobile carriers and linked to phone numbers, it will primarily serve smartphones.
While devices such as tablets and laptops might connect via a smartphone—similar to how Apple’s Messages app interacts with SMS/MMS—RCS remains a cellular technology.
Nevertheless, RCS is on track to achieve nearly the same level of ubiquity as SMS, enabling communication with anyone with a smartphone and a phone number, unlike third-party apps that limit interactions to users of the same platform.
