• May 13, 2026
Why RCS Is Becoming Popular — And Why Big Tech Is Moving Into the RCS Business

RCS, short for Rich Communication Services, is becoming one of the biggest shifts in mobile messaging because it upgrades traditional SMS into a modern, app-like messaging experience. Instead of plain text messages with limited media support, RCS allows users and businesses to send high-quality photos, videos, read receipts, typing indicators, branded messages, interactive buttons, carousels, and more. For years, RCS was mostly an Android and carrier-led technology, but the market changed when Apple added RCS support to iPhone with iOS 18, making RCS a serious cross-platform messaging standard for both Android and iPhone users. Apple says RCS on iPhone requires iOS 18 and a carrier that supports RCS messaging.