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Introduction
Touted for several years as the successor to SMS, the RCS (Rich Communication Services) is now a reality in 2025. Deployed progressively by operators and adopted by Google and then Apple with iOS 18, it is now compatible with the majority of recent Android and iPhone smartphones.
According to the GSMA, more than 1.5 billion active users worldwide are already using RCS, including several tens of millions in France.
But one question often comes up: can my mobile receive RCS?
In the infographic below, we explain how to check and activate RCS messaging on your Android or iPhone phone.
RCS, enriched messaging integrated into your cell phone
RCS is designed as a direct evolution of SMS and MMSnatively integrated into messaging applications. In concrete terms, it lets you exchange :
- 📸 High-resolution photos and videos
- 👥 Enriched group conversations
- ✅ Reading acknowledgements and input indicators
- 🔗 Interactive buttons, carousels, clickable links
- 📍 F ile sharing, maps, geolocation, QR codes and payments
In other words, your native messaging app (Google Messages on Android or Messages on iOS) now comes close to the experiences offered by WhatsApp, Messenger or iMessage, but without any additional installation.
How do I know if my mobile is receiving RCS?
In 2020, only certain Android models could activate RCS via Google Messages, and support was highly operator-dependent. The situation has changed:
On Android :
Open the Google Messages app → Settings → RCS Chats → Enable.
Most recent Android smartphones (Samsung, Google Pixel, Xiaomi, Oppo, etc.) now feature this option.
On iPhone :
Since iOS 18, Apple has added RCS compatibility to the Messages app.
Simply go to Settings → Apps → Messages → RCS Messaging and enable the option.
Prerequisites:
- A Wi-Fi or 4G/5G connection (RCS does not use the traditional SMS network)
- A correspondent also equipped with RCS to take advantage of all functions (otherwise, the message switches to classic SMS ).
So, by 2025, the majority of Android and iOS users can send and receive RCS without installing a third-party app.
smsmode©RCS pioneer in France
From 2020, smsmode© participated in the RCS pilot phase in France in collaboration with operators and Google. Since then, we have deployed a Complete RCS API which enables companies to send enriched messages (Basic, Rich and Session) to their customers.
Today, smsmode© has helped many brands adopt this innovative channel:
- 🚀 Interactive marketing campaigns with carousels and CTA buttons
- 🔔 Enhanced transactional notifications (order confirmation, delivery tracking, appointment reminders)
- 🔐 Secure communications (OTP, link payments, certified document sharing)
With widespread iOS and Android support, RCS is finally becoming a universal channel and a modern alternative to SMS for businesses and consumers alike.
Try out our SMS platform and benefit from 20 free test credits, with no obligation.