What Is RCS Messaging and Do You Need to Adopt It in 2025?

Texting has come a long way since the early days of SMS and MMS. Now, a newer option called Rich Communication Services (RCS) is being positioned as the next step in mobile messaging.

However, RCS still faces adoption issues. Not every device supports it, carriers handle it differently, and it only works when customers have an internet connection.

These gaps create an uneven messaging experience, raising real concerns if you need your messages to reach every customer.

In this article, we’ll explore how RCS messaging works, what features it offers, and the challenges it still faces. You’ll also see why SMS remains the trusted foundation for business outreach and customer engagement.

By the end, you’ll know where RCS fits in and why SMS remains the stronger tool for reaching customers at scale.

How Does Rich Communication Services Work?

RCS works differently from the older methods of texting because it uses an internet link instead of a mobile signal. People can send messages, larger files, pictures, or videos without running into the size limits that were common with older formats.

Google Messages and RCS Activation

The most common way people access RCS is through the Google Messages app. This app comes preinstalled on many Android devices and is often recommended as the default option for texting.

It acts as the main hub for traditional SMS and RCS, depending on what your phone and carrier support.

When you open Google Messages for the first time, you may be asked if you’d like to turn on RCS chats. Some users will also see a prompt to tap RCS chats in their settings to finish activation.

Once switched on, your phone connects to either the carrier’s system, which handles the technical side of RCS support.

From that point, the upgraded RCS features become available in your conversations, such as showing typing indicators, delivering read receipts, or sharing high-resolution photos.

It’s also worth pointing out that RCS depends on mobile data or a Wi-Fi link. Unlike SMS, which works over standard network signals, RCS needs internet access to send and receive. If either connection drops, the message may fall back to regular texting.

Benefits of RCS Messaging for Businesses

RCS brings messaging functions that stretch beyond traditional texts. It helps you build more interactive and engaging exchanges with customers.

• Rich media sharing: You can send high-resolution photos, promotional graphics, or short videos without worrying about compression. This lets you show customers what you’re offering in a format that grabs attention and holds interest.
• Read receipts and typing indicators: One of the most valuable tools for you as a business is knowing how customers interact with your messages. Receipts and typing indicators confirm that your message has been opened and give you real-time insight into when a customer is about to respond.
• Verified business profiles: Instead of appearing as just another phone number, RCS allows your messages to carry your business name, logo, and a profile image. Customers recognize your business, which builds credibility and reduces the chance of your outreach being ignored or mistaken for spam.
• Suggested replies and quick actions: RCS makes it easier for customers to respond by including built-in action buttons. You can give them options such as “Book Now,” “Confirm Appointment,” or “Track Order.” You can guide customers toward the action you want them to take.
• Group conversations: RCS improves group chat messaging so you can manage multiple participants in a single thread. This works well for coordinating event details, running customer groups, or handling support discussions.

The Downsides of Using RCS Messaging

While the idea of richer, app-like conversations inside the default phone messenger sounds promising, several issues limit its appeal for businesses.

Incomplete Reach

RCS is described as the upgrade to texting, but its reach is far from universal. Adoption depends on carrier support, software versions, and the type of device in use.

Some Android users enjoy chat features like media sharing and branded messaging, while others see only a basic fallback. That uneven experience makes it difficult for you to know how your messages will appear once delivered.

The absence of full iOS integration in most Apple devices was one of the biggest gaps. While RCS has been on Android for years, iPhone users had no access until the release of iOS 18.

This marks a step forward, but full adoption will take time as global carriers update systems and customers upgrade their primary devices.

Dependence on Internet Access

RCS relies on either Wi-Fi or a mobile connection to send and receive. If a customer has no internet connection or is in an area with weak coverage, the message may be delayed or fall back to plain text.

That delay can be the difference between a customer receiving a time-sensitive alert or missing it altogether.

Costs can also play a role. In areas where data plans are limited, customers may switch off mobile data to save usage. If a message arrives during that time, it won’t send until the user reconnects.

Lack of Uniform Experience

The RCS standard is not applied in the same way across all networks, phones, or regions. Some carriers support advanced features such as branded messages, quick reply buttons, and high-quality media.

On top of that, different message settings or older third-party apps may alter how a campaign looks. You might design an interactive promotion with images and suggested actions, but only part of the audience will see it as intended.

The result is a customer experience that varies, even within the same campaign. Such uneven delivery also complicates measurement.

Engagement rates may appear lower, not because the campaign was weak, but because some customers never saw the full version of the message.

Security Gaps

While some conversations are end-to-end encrypted, business communication doesn’t always have that same protection.

If you handle sensitive details such as payment confirmations or account updates, this gap raises concerns. The lack of consistent encryption means that customer data may not always be fully protected during delivery.

Even if you build an RCS campaign with secure intentions, the message may pass through parts of the system that are not encrypted. This uncertainty makes industries like finance, healthcare, and legal services cautious about adopting RCS for official communications.

Trust is another factor. Customers are more likely to engage with branded messages if they know the communication is safe. If RCS cannot guarantee the same level of protection across all scenarios, you risk damaging that trust.

Cost vs. Return

When you build campaigns for RCS, this requires more resources than SMS. Rich media, branded templates, and interactive features all take extra time and budget to design.

Unlike SMS, which operates on a flat fee structure in most markets, RCS pricing can vary depending on the carrier or messaging provider. Some charge more for extras like video sharing, branded sender IDs, or showing a profile picture alongside your message.

RCS campaigns also require ongoing adjustments to remain compatible across cellular networks. Platforms such as Jibe Mobile help carriers support RCS, but keeping campaigns aligned across regions adds long-term maintenance costs.

If you need predictable results, those expenses often outweigh the benefits. When all these factors are considered together, many businesses hesitate to put RCS at the core of their messaging strategy.

SMS remains the lower-cost, predictable option with guaranteed reach. RCS can add value for targeted use cases, but the balance of cost versus return still leans toward SMS for most businesses.

SMS Remains the Standard for Business Messaging

Text messaging has long been one of the most trusted tools for business communication. Appointment reminders, order confirmations, shipping updates, and quick promotions all reach customers instantly in a channel they already use every day.

Unlike RCS, which still depends on carrier rollouts and device updates, traditional texting works on every mobile phone.

Over time, texting has also become a flexible marketing tool. SMS marketing software such as Textellent allows you to schedule campaigns, manage contact lists, and automate follow-ups to build lasting customer relationships.

Open rates remain far higher than email or social campaigns, which is why so many organizations continue to prioritize SMS marketing as a central channel.

RCS may bring new features to the table, but its limited reach, uneven rollout, and higher costs make it difficult to treat as a replacement. Business texting has proven to be universal, cost-friendly, and dependable.

Sign up for a free trial or request a demo consultation to see how SMS can become your most dependable growth tool!

How SMS Helps You Communicate Without Gaps

Growth doesn’t come from slow or scattered outreach. If your team is stuck using tools that don’t connect or wasting hours sending manual reminders, you’re holding your business back.

Texting has always been the channel that delivers every time. A mobile marketing solution like Textellent helps you reach people and keep conversations in one place.

Never Lose a Lead Again

Leads lose value the longer you wait. RCS may promise richer chats, but it only reaches some users.

SMS connects with every customer. Textellent lets you capture new contacts from website forms, Speed-to-Lead tools, or integrations and trigger replies the moment interest appears.

You can also upload existing lists and launch SMS campaigns. Fast response times turn more inquiries into paying customers instead of lost opportunities.

Boost Response Rates With a Recognizable Number

Customers are quick to ignore messages from unknown senders or random short codes. RCS can add logos and branding in some cases. But those features don’t work everywhere and create confusion.

SMS always delivers from the number customers already know. Textellent lets you send and receive texts from your business line, so every message feels personal and familiar.

Replies reach a shared team inbox, allowing staff to respond and keep the conversation going. This trusted approach leads to higher open rates and stronger customer engagement.

Reduce No-Shows and Late Payments Automatically

Missed appointments and overdue payments eat into revenue, and relying on channels that only work part of the time makes the problem worse. Because RCS depends on internet access and device support, important reminders may not always reach customers.

SMS avoids that risk by working on every phone, no matter the connection. With Textellent, you can link texting to your CRM, calendar, or payment system to send confirmations, reminders, and billing alerts automatically.

Customers get timely updates, schedules stay on track, and you recover hours once wasted on manual follow-ups.

Drive Sales and Bookings in Minutes

Email campaigns can take days to see results, and RCS still struggles with uneven support across devices. SMS delivers instantly and works for every customer.

With Textellent, you can send targeted mass texts to a handful of contacts or thousands at once, promoting sales, flash offers, or urgent updates. Messages are seen quickly, responded to faster, and drive action.

Stay Connected Without Adding Extra Work

Customer relationships don’t end after the first sale, but keeping up with every touchpoint can overwhelm a team. RCS may offer extra features, yet its uneven adoption makes it unreliable for long-term follow-ups.

SMS provides the consistency your business needs, reaching every customer without gaps. Textellent lets you automate renewals, onboarding sequences, review requests, and follow-ups so customers hear from you regularly.

Choose SMS for Dependable Business Messaging—Start Texting With Textellent!

SMS is still the one channel you can count on to reach every customer. Customers expect fast, reliable communication, and SMS continues to deliver that.

With Textellent, you get the consistency of texting plus the tools to run campaigns that help your business grow. You can send reminders, promotions, and follow-ups that reach customers right away.

You text from your business number, build contact lists through integrations, and automate touchpoints without piling on extra work.

Until RCS becomes universal, Textellent makes sure your messages always land. Build stronger customer connections, keep schedules on track, and generate more revenue through SMS.

Sign up for a free trial or request a demo consultation with Textellent today!

FAQs About RCS Messaging

Should I have RCS on or off?

Turning RCS on can give you features like read receipts, typing indicators, and richer media. Some apps require you to turn RCS chats on in the settings. However, it only works when both you and the person you’re messaging have compatible devices and carriers.

If you want consistency, leaving it off means your phone will default to SMS or MMS, which always delivers regardless of device or network.

What is the difference between SMS and RCS?

SMS is the traditional text system that works on every phone and carrier without needing the internet. RCS is newer and adds features like sharing files, branded messaging, and interactive features.

The trade-off is that RCS relies on internet access, such as Wi-Fi or mobile data, and doesn’t work everywhere yet. Meanwhile, SMS is universal and dependable.

Why do my text messages say RCS?

Some messaging apps label chats as “RCS” when the feature is active. The most common examples are the Google Messages app and Samsung Messages on an Android phone. This indicates your phone and the recipient’s phone support the service under the GSM association standard.

If either side doesn’t support it, the conversation usually falls back to SMS, often showing up as green text bubbles or green bubbles on certain devices.

Why would someone use RCS messaging?

People use RCS for extras like higher-quality images, better group messaging functions, and tools such as end-to-end encryption for personal chats. You may test it to enjoy features like branded profiles or quick-action buttons.

That said, many still rely on SMS/MMS because it works for every customer without exception, which makes it the safer choice for time-sensitive or large-scale communication.