What Is RCS Messaging? A Guide for Businesses

RCS — Rich Communication Services — is the successor to SMS. It runs in the default messaging app on the phone and adds what SMS never had: images, carousels, buttons, read receipts and a verified business identity. For businesses, it combines the reach of SMS with the experience of a modern chat app.

How RCS works

RCS is a standard developed by the GSMA, the global association of mobile operators. On Android it's built into Google Messages; Apple added RCS support to the iPhone's Messages app with iOS 18. Businesses send messages through RCS Business Messaging (RBM), using a verified 'agent' that represents their brand.

What RCS business messages can do

• Show your brand name, logo and a verified badge instead of a short code or number.
• Send rich cards and swipeable carousels with images, titles and descriptions.
• Offer suggested replies and action buttons — open a URL, dial, view a map, add to calendar.
• Enable two-way conversations that can be handled by a chatbot or an agent.
• Provide delivery and read receipts for better reporting.

What happens if a phone doesn't support RCS?

Good RCS platforms check capability before sending and fall back to SMS automatically. Customers always get the message — in rich form where possible, as text where not.

Typical use cases

• Order and delivery updates with tracking buttons.
• Appointment reminders with confirm and reschedule options.
• Promotions as product carousels with 'Buy now' buttons.
• Boarding passes, tickets and booking confirmations.
• Verified one-time passcodes that are harder to spoof than SMS.

RCS gives you the reach of SMS with the experience of a chat app — without asking customers to install anything.

Availability in Europe

RCS support for person-to-person messaging is widespread, but business messaging depends on each country's carriers and on device settings. Check current coverage for your target markets with your provider, and plan SMS fallback from day one.