Every day, Americans are sending around 6 billion text messages, with about 81% of U.S. users turning to their phones’ default messaging apps instead of alternatives like Telegram or WhatsApp. But if you’re still using SMS for your texts, you might be opening yourself up to security risks. Here’s why you should consider enabling RCS messaging on your device.
A brief history of RCS
RCS, or Rich Communication Services, is meant to be the upgraded messaging platform that takes the place of SMS and MMS. It was launched in 2008 through the Global System for Mobile Communications Association, which involves key mobile providers like AT&T and T-Mobile.
However, RCS started attracting notable attention only in 2015 when Google acquired Jibe Mobile, a company focused on RCS technology. By 2020, Google had incorporated RCS into the Google Messages app for Android, making it the primary messaging tool for devices like Samsung Galaxy and Google Pixel.
After years of advocating by Google, Apple finally adopted RCS for the iPhone in 2023, offering it as an alternative to SMS while still keeping iMessage as its flagship messaging service.
Essentially, RCS aims to provide a unified messaging experience across both iPhone and Android devices.
It’s worth noting that while SMS and MMS continue to be functional on many devices, they aren’t as secure or reliable as RCS.
Benefits of RCS
- Encryption: RCS messages between Android phones are end-to-end encrypted, safeguarding your conversations from potential spying, whether from carriers or government entities. Currently, RCS on Apple devices lacks encryption, but an update later this year is expected to address that.
- Read confirmations: Wouldn’t it be helpful to know when someone has seen your message? RCS offers read receipts and timestamps for tracking delivery and reading status.
- Group chats: For a long time, group messaging has posed challenges for iPhone and Android users. With RCS, you can name group chats, see typing indicators, and react to messages with emojis.
- High-quality media sharing: RCS enables sharing high-resolution images and videos, making it much easier to send quality content rather than relying on the lower-quality MMS options of the past.
RCS warnings
While RCS undoubtedly offers more security and a better user experience than SMS, its features, especially the ability to send high-resolution images, have also made it easier for scammers to spread spam messages more widely. Notably, the increase in spam texts in the U.S. coincides with the rollout of RCS.
However, this shouldn’t deter you from switching to RCS. The advantages far outweigh the downsides. RCS represents the future of texting standards, meaning you can expect continued support and updates long after SMS and MMS phase out.
If you find yourself inundated with spam texts while using RCS, consider checking out an anti-spam guide that can help block these unwanted messages.
How to enable RCS on iPhone and Android
Activating RCS on both iPhone and Android devices is relatively straightforward. Just keep in mind that activation depends on your carrier’s support for RCS; some networks may take longer than others to enable it. So, if it’s not available on your device just yet, it might be soon.
For iPhone users: Open your Settings app. Scroll down to tap on Apps, then go to Messages in the middle section. Near the bottom, you will see RCS Messaging. Simply toggle it on, and you’re set.
For Android users: You’ll first need the Google Messages app. As of now, it’s the only messaging app on Android fully supporting RCS, including its encryption features. In the app, tap your profile photo in the top-right corner, then go to Message Settings. You’ll see the RCS Chat option at the top—toggle it on, and you’re good to go. You can also customize some of RCS’s features on this page.
Enable RCS now
Text messaging technology has evolved significantly since the flip phones and T9 keypads of the early 2000s. If you’re not already using RCS, you’re essentially inviting your carrier to keep track of your text messages, placing your phone at greater risk of attacks and potential phone number theft. Enabling RCS now can help you avoid such issues and enjoy a better messaging experience. Honestly, there’s no real reason not to switch.
