What is RCS? (& How It'll Change Text Messaging Forever)

Have you ever sent a picture to a friend through text and had it not only take forever to send but then when your friend does finally get it, it's a blurry mess? Well, a lot of that comes down to the fact that if you're using text messaging--not iMessage, WhatsApp, Facebook Messenger, etc. but actually text messaging--you're using a system that was hasn't really changed since the '90s.

Well, with Google's announcement earlier this year that they will be helping to bring a new service called RCS to Android devices, that's all finally about to change.

So in this episode of Decodr, where I break down a new piece of technology each week, let's dive into what RCS is, how it'll benefit everyone, and how to get it.

#RCS #Decodr

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LETS CHAT:

[NizarNoor]

I got RCS but none of my friends use it

[kraqd]

Android needs to release an update that everyone automatically gets RCS. I have 1 other person that has RCS but that's it

[kevinmikulaj]

Even your old videos are informative. This video popped up in my feed today. A nice, easy to understand, explanation of RCS. I never realized how long it took for this to be adopted. Great work.

[TomBabula]

Google should have enabled RCS on their own years ago. However, it is understandable why they waited. Since Google already facing antitrust concerns for it being big, better not paint target on your back.

[Leftplayer]

US: so we are gonna stop using SMS and instead we’re building this awesome platform which may or may not be cross platform, may or may not be supported by all the carriers which will let you have an iMessage like experience.

China: so you mean, Baidu
Rest of the world: so you mean, Whatsapp

[mooglecrooks]

Why didn’t you talk about the lack of encryption... seems like a pretty obvious exclusion...

[mountainslopes]

It's so satisfying using RCS with the few friends that already have it. Feels very natural!
Google has chosen blue & dark blue as the differenciation in their app - a much nicer move than Apple's.

[jcrawford]

Until RCS implements end-to-end encryption, I will continue to use alternative messaging apps...

[JorgeOmarGonzalez]

I am really enjoying this new series. You have a great way of explaining things at a very simple yet detailed level. Can't wait for the next one. I don't have a recommendation at the moment but I will work on it. Keep up the great work.

[The_Guth]

iMessage is literally the only reason why I’m still holding on to an Iphone lol

[PenelopeMngadi-oo]

I don't like RCS messaging because I have to have an internet connection. I can't send a normal SMS. I really get frustrated when I send and it doesn't deliver until I get connected to WiFi.

[orgaloth]

My carrier here in Australia, introduced RCS on Samsung phones early in 2018, and it's now available on all android phones that have the Google message app.

[Simplycurlyful]

The timestamps on messages are sending & being received out of order...I’ve tried to fix the problem. But nothing yet...it literally just happened out of the blue..it was fine for like two weeks then boom all jacked up..idk what to do..

[nhoss]

I think it will definitely be cool to send larger files using RCS and in higher quality. But, I am pretty sure Apple will still make the Messages from Android look Green.

[adavid]

Is "Signal" using this RCS format? I find myself switching between Samsung messenger, Facebook messenger, WhatsApp, Google messenger when I'm interacting with family and friends and acquaintance

[jamesf]

I started using rcs on samsung in 2024 and it sucks, takes forever to send and many times it says it has not been delivered, please switch to sms and resend

[SanJoseAlex]

I don’t understand, what does the god Pokémon have to do with cell phones?

[gracelann]

I just found out this feature last night with my friend, he told me he can send sms without having a load, but only data connection

[arielhadar]

Great video, was waiting for a good explanation on RCS.

Also, love the look of the new studio :)

[jeffgomske]

Great video. I am not an apple fan...however, it's hard not to admire a few things they genuinely got right, and iMessage is one of them. It is astonishingly absurd how long it took other carriers (and even Google for that matter) to finally adopt the universal system. But as another comment already state, better late than never, right?