RCS chats by Google FAQ (2024)

FAQs

What are the disadvantages of RCS chat? ›

Cost: RCS messages can be more expensive than SMS messages for users who do not have an unlimited data plan. While SMS messages are often included in mobile plans and are relatively inexpensive, RCS messages require a data connection and can be subject to data charges.

Even though RCS improves the texting experience, it might not be the preferred solution for everyone. You may want to turn it off if you decide RCS isn't for you. If you have issues with the connection, turning off the setting and reactivating it might be a good reason to do so.

Is RCS messaging secure? Yes, but the level of security depends on a few things. For example, Google Messages recently introduced end-to-end encryption, but only for direct messages and not group chats. Moreover, both clients need to use the same app.

RCS chat is a communication protocol provided by Google for Android devices that empowers users with advanced communication features and capabilities like read receipts, typing indicators, high-quality media sharing, and more. This makes it a versatile, secure option for modern messaging.

Bad implementations of RCS allow hackers to get into the network through a number of ways. For instance, a hacker could simply be on the same WiFI network or have access to the ISP's servers to alter the requests being sent and received.

RCS offers similar security functionality to third-party services, such as message encryption and verifying messages before they're delivered. SMS does not support these security features.

When you use RCS chats, your messages are sent over Wi-Fi and mobile data. As long as you're connected to a Wi-Fi network that you don't have to pay to use, there should be no cost to send and receive messages.

RCS is a messaging experience that offers rich features. High-quality media: You can share files and high-resolution photos. Read receipts: Show when someone has read or received your message.

It introduces features like group chats, high-resolution photo sharing, read receipts, and typing indicators, akin to those found in apps like WhatsApp or iMessage. Notably, RCS maintains backward compatibility with SMS, allowing for simple text-based messaging even without an internet connection.

When you turn on RCS chats, and each time you send a message, Google checks your contacts to find out if they can also use RCS chats. These checks may go through Google's RCS infrastructure and other service providers to reach your contacts. RCS chats between Google Messages users are end-to-end encrypted by default.

Why does Apple refuse to use RCS? ›

But RCS is a GSMA standard adopted by Google.” In terms of security he said, “For Apple their angle is to make their service secure. One way to do that is with end-to-end encryption. But when your friend is on Android your message is not encrypted.

When RCS chats are turned on, you can send messages over Wi-Fi and use other features. If your carrier and device aren't automatically set up for RCS chats, you may be offered RCS chats. You might be asked to provide your phone number.

In summary: Choose SMS for: Simple text messages that work on any phone, even without a data connection. Choose RCS for: Richer messaging features like pictures, videos, and encryption, if both users have compatible devices and data connections.

In contrast, RCS relies on data connections, making it more vulnerable to network interruptions and less reliable in areas with poor data coverage.

RCS is available for free to all Android users. Better yet, they don't need to download an app to make it work. Instead, users need to update their phone's carrier services app, which refreshes their phone's connection to the carrier network to get all the latest features, including RCS.

RCS and SMS are both ways to send a message to a users phone, but how the messages are delivered and how they look will be quite different. Text messages (SMS) are sent via the cellular network, whereas RCS relies on the data network (mobile data or WiFi) to send and receive messages.

For example, a standard text message using SMS takes around 0.01KB, while an MMS message can use up to 300KB of data. In contrast, Rich text messaging service take up about 60KB of data, including attachments such as images, documents, and videos.