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| Google's RCS protocol replaces SMS |
Even today, millions of users around the world rely on SMS. Especially in countries where you can use it for free. However, Google is planning to make major changes to the messaging and chat experience through the RCS protocol.
American carriers such as AT&T and T-Mobile have announced the integration of the Google Messages app into new Android phones, adding to the importance of the protocol built into this app.
The protocol can be easily defined as an updated alternative to the traditional SMS/MMS standard. It supports a large number of features and functions that turn the exchange of text messages into an experience similar to chat applications such as WhatsApp and Telegram.
Google made this feature available for the first time in the middle of 2019. The final experience of this technology can be described as similar to the popular iMessage messaging app available in Apple products, the most important of which is the iPhone.
Google RCS Agreement
The Rich Communication Service Standard or Protocol is defined as the integrated standard for calling and chatting and its user experience is very similar to the aforementioned WhatsApp and Telegram. However, it does need the support of the service provider (i.e. carrier) to function.
The Google Messages app is the primary app to access this functionality. Other applications can theoretically support the same protocol. But this has not happened yet.
There is no doubt that the standard offers a lot when compared to SMS and MMS standards. It also supports high-quality photo sharing, as well as support for voice and video calls. Messages sent via RCS can contain a maximum of 160 characters.
Users can add reactions to messages like Messenger and Twitter through the Google Messages app. Plus the ability to send animated GIFs and even stickers. It also supports geolocation sharing.
RCS can work like a traditional messaging app over Wi-Fi. But you also need a network of connections. Google introduced a big and very important feature in June, which is support for end-to-end encryption through RCS.
End-to-end encryption means that no party can see the content of the message. This includes Google itself and the operator whose service you use. Google and Samsung started adopting the concept of RCS in 2007 and their primary focus is to provide an iMessage-like experience on Android phones.
How to use RCS on mobile devices
To be able to use this new standard, your network operator must support it. If you are not sure if it is supported, you can try it yourself.
The first step is to download the Google Messages app from Play Store, then enter the settings, then enter the settings of the chat function, then turn on the chat function using the “Turn chat function on. Cat” option.
Of course, if you find that these options are not present or cannot be activated, it means that your mobile phone or carrier does not support this feature.
It also mentions that the RCS feature can be integrated into Samsung phones through the standard messaging app, but you can't turn it on or off because it's on by default. It can be accessed through the messaging app options.