What is RCS, and how do I use the RCS feature?

For a long time, Android users have been disappointed with the downgraded functionality of their devices, especially in terms of lacking security features. Meanwhile, Apple users have enjoyed teasing Android users with their iMessage function, but Google has never given up and has tried to change its old ways. After long testing and consideration, Google announced yesterday that they would enable RCS by default for the Messages app.

Although numerous text-based applications are available today, such as WhatsApp, which is end-to-end encrypted, basic phone text messaging is still widely used by around 90% of users. With this in mind, Google has decided to replace its old messaging standards with RCS (Rich Communication and Service). Do not worry, we will explain everything about it here.

What is RCS and How to Use the RCS Feature?

Rich Communication Service (RCS) is a game-changing messaging standard that gained exposure in 2008. Unlike the usual messaging standards, there are plenty of rich features to adopt. For instance, on iOS, we have iMessage functionality that helps us showcase an experience like WhatsApp based on the internet. Apple teased Google for the same thing a few years ago, but now the time has arrived when iMessage will be thought of as an upgrade.

On Tuesday, Google announced that the RCS feature would be enabled by default in the latest version of Google Messages. However, if you want to avoid using such a feature, you can turn it off, but you rarely do that. After using the RCS standard, you have many features, such as typing status, reading receipts, end-to-end encryption even in group chats, RCS badges, and video call support. Video calls based on RCS will be available in Google Messages, which is not even in iMessage.

What is special about RCS-enabled messaging compared to iMessage? The? One feature is video call support, and aside from that, the remaining features are the same as in iMessage. This means you can send messages over RCS using an internet connection. If you send a message over RCS and the recipient has not enabled it, it will be sent as a regular message. With RCS-based messaging, you have complete tracking of your SMS.

Now we have seen how Android users can get features similar to iMessage and some additional things that even iMessage does not have. The question arises: how can RCS-enabled messages be better than usual SMS/MMS? The simple answer is that if you want end-to-end encryption (a feature with which only the receiver can decrypt the message), then an RCS-enabled service is better.

I hope you understand why Google made RCS-enabled messaging the default for the Messages app. To use this feature, note that you do not need anything additional; send messages as usual, as it is enabled by default for existing and new users. In case it is found disabled, please enable it from Google Messages Settings >> Chat Features >> Rich Communication Service >> Enable the toggle. This is all about the new communication protocol that you can use. If any user has a query, feel free to ask below.

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