SMS is dying — this is what’s taking its place

For the reason that daybreak of smartphones, there’s been a battle between messaging apps. Regardless of many makes an attempt on Google’s half, there’s by no means been an precise messaging competitor to Apple iMessage.

Nonetheless, Google’s been pushing one other common customary: RCS. The standoff between the tech giants has been moderately public, with Google goading Apple on many events, and Apple refusing to help RCS for a few years. Then, on November 16, 2023, Apple pivoted, saying it would support RCS in 2024. It looks as if a second of unity is coming in cross-device messaging — lastly.

Since Verizon embraced Google’s RCS protocol in February 2024, all Android telephones and each main cellular provider within the US now help RCS messaging. However what precisely is RCS, what options does it have, and which gadgets is it obtainable on?

What’s RCS?

The way forward for textual content messaging is right here… virtually

Wealthy communication companies (RCS) is a protocol between cellular operators and telephones. The general goal of RCS is to switch SMS and MMS messaging, the codecs we’re all aware of as they’ve been round for years. RCS messaging may be very very like WhatsApp, the place stay chat can happen, together with multimedia help, with all the things dealt with through the info community.

The largest benefit RCS Messaging has over SMS — and the rationale it was carried out within the first place — is that it improves on the SMS/MMS messaging expertise, a lot in the identical method that iMessage does. This implies RCS messages can carry extra data, so customers can ship issues like full-resolution images, movies, and audio messages to at least one one other. Widespread options like typing indicators and skim receipts are additionally a part of RCS messaging.

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Customers can perform video calls with each other immediately throughout the messaging app, moderately than having to depend on third-party software program. Group messages are doable, and RCS messages additionally put off the 160-character restrict at the moment present in SMS messages. Companies may use RCS Messaging to ship issues like boarding passes for airways, bundle supply notifications, and bank card fraud alerts. RCS is legitimately higher for everybody.

Is RCS encrypted and safe?

Quick reply: Sure, however not by default

Google Messages makes use of end-to-end encryption to make sure a dialog stays non-public between the sender and recipient. Your conversations are encrypted with a key that solely both participant can entry. You possibly can confirm if you happen to’re at the moment having an encrypted dialog by on the lookout for the lock icon subsequent to the time stamps to your messages, search for a banner within the thread that reveals a lock icon together with the individuals’ names, or search for the lock icon on the ship button.

If you wish to affirm your dialog is non-public, you possibly can observe the directions Google lays out here to substantiate verification codes within the Messages app with particular contacts.

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As a result of an rising majority of Android telephones include Google Messages pre-installed or use it as their default messaging app, most RCS chats needs to be end-to-end encrypted, however encryption just isn’t a part of the protocol by default. In comments to the press when Apple introduced it was adopting RCS, constructing end-to-end encryption into the bottom protocol was one of many issues the corporate hoped to do.

Which telephones and carriers help RCS?

RCS is nearly common

Within the US, the key US carriers — Verizon, AT&T, Dash and T-Cell — have agreed on a cross-carrier resolution for RCS in a program known as CCMI — Cross-Service Messaging Initiative — and we’re now able the place RCS is globally obtainable and interoperable, besides Russia. At Google I/O 2023, Google mentioned there have been over 800 million month-to-month RCS customers.

In the event you ship an RCS message to somebody whose cellphone or cellular community does not help it, will probably be despatched as a daily textual content message.

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Does the iPhone help RCS messaging?

RCS has lastly made it to the iPhone in 2024

When Apple announced its pivot, it dedicated to utilizing the GSMA Common Profile for RCS. The RCS help that arrived with iOS 18 in September 2024 displays that. Cross-platform messaging between Android and iOS gadgets completely works higher than earlier than and is enriched with issues like audio messages and skim receipts, but it surely’s nonetheless not good. You may nonetheless get a extra feature-complete expertise utilizing Google’s model of RCS in Google Messages or sticking with iMessage.

Inexperienced bubbles have caught round, and Apple helps issues like typing indicators, high-resolution pictures and movies, voice messages, group chats, and file transfers. Notably lacking is any form of end-to-end encryption, although, which could require a swap to a distinct model of the GSMA Common Profile than Apple is at the moment utilizing. The corporate has shared no plans as to when that may change.

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Involved customers and Google have demanded Apple help RCS for years. Google has taunted Apple, with execs making statements about how RCS may make all gadgets work higher collectively and extra securely. The corporate’s even gone to city a number of occasions in movies and on-line campaigns.

The issue — particularly for customers within the US — is that iMessage is dominant and there is a documented stigma amongst customers towards anybody messaging who is not utilizing iMessage. Apple even makes messages despatched from an Android cellphone (which defaults to SMS/MMS as a result of Apple does not but help RCS) inexperienced, to distinguish them from blue messages despatched by different folks on iMessage. RCS help makes issues much more equal now, but it surely’s not clear it should change something culturally.

In the end, Apple’s reasons for adopting RCS have much less to do with Google’s taunts, and extra the elevated strain it is receiving from the EU as a result of Digital Markets Act, and that 5G telephones are reportedly required to support RCS in China.

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How can I see if I’ve RCS help on my cellphone?

It needs to be turned on by default, however you are able to do it manually

Firstly, if you happen to’re an Android consumer, you must use the Google Messages app and ensure it is the default messaging app (whereas different apps will help it, Google’s method means you might want to use its personal app).

1. Open the app and faucet the menu within the prime right-hand nook.
2. Choose Messages settings.
3. Choose RCS Chats.
4. RCS Chats will inform you when you’ve got help or not, and if it is enabled.

Once you sign up to a brand new cellphone and open Google Messages for the primary time, you may be requested if you wish to activate RCS Messaging. In the event you aren’t prompted, you possibly can flip it on through the directions above. In the identical menu, you may additionally discover different choices, resembling controlling typing indicators and skim receipts. Notice that you just want wi-fi or mobile information to ship RCS messages, so there’s additionally the choice to ship an SMS as an alternative if RCS messages cannot be despatched.

In the event you’re an iPhone consumer, Apple has designed the Messages app for iOS 18 to default to RCS in case your provider helps it, however you may also ensure that RCS messaging is enabled within the Settings app.

1. Open the Settings app.
2. Scroll right down to the Apps part and faucet it.
3. Faucet on Messages.
4. Faucet on RCS Messaging beneath the Textual content Messaging part.
5. Be certain RCS Messaging is toggled on.

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For years, many have been clamoring for Apple to deliver its iMessage and FaceTime companies to competing platforms like Android and Home windows. Typically omitted of the dialog is the corporate’s underappreciated AirDrop system, which helps you to wirelessly switch information from one iDevice to the subsequent. The service works shortly and effectively, saving you from having to e-mail your self pictures or paperwork. Google has its personal wi-fi switch protocol known as Fast Share (née Close by Share), which solely works with Android and ChromeOS. Then there’s Microsoft, which has carried out its personal Home windows Close by Sharing protocol. These options all work nicely sufficient, however they’re proprietary and never totally interoperable throughout working methods. Google has been type sufficient to construct a brand new Fast Share app for Home windows, however good luck sharing a photograph from Android to macOS, or from Home windows to iPadOS. Contemplating how ubiquitous wi-fi file sharing has grow to be, and the way uncommon it’s for folks to make use of a wired connection