RCS, the messaging revolution that's already on your phone

What is RCS and why should you care?

RCS (Rich Communication Services) is the messaging protocol that’s transforming how we communicate from our phones. Imagine all the features you use in WhatsApp, but natively integrated into your messages app, without needing to download anything at all. And best of all, it’s free.

Unlike the outdated SMS we’ve been using for decades, RCS allows you to send high-resolution photos and videos, share real-time location, create advanced group chats, see when someone is typing, and confirm message reads. All of this working directly from the messages app you already have on your phone.

Notifycal has RCS integration available for clients who need it. If you're interested in taking advantage of this next-generation communication protocol for your automated reminders. Contact us for more info

The natural replacement for WhatsApp

For years, apps like WhatsApp, Telegram, or Signal have dominated instant messaging because they offered features that SMS simply couldn’t provide. RCS completely changes the game.

The most revolutionary thing about RCS is that you don’t need to convince anyone to install a new app. There’s no need to create accounts, accept terms and conditions, or share your contact list with any company. It simply works, as communications should work in 2025.

While WhatsApp requires all your contacts to have the app installed and an active account, RCS comes preinstalled on your device. It’s like having a universal WhatsApp that works with anyone who has a modern phone, regardless of what operating system they use.

Android first, iOS later: now everyone together

The history of RCS is interesting. Google and phone carriers started implementing it on Android devices several years ago, working to make it the universal messaging standard. During that time, iPhone users were left out of this revolution.

Everything changed in 2024. Apple, after years of pressure from the industry and users, announced that iOS 18 would include RCS support. The official launch came in September 2024, marking a before and after in mobile messaging.

Now, with iOS 18 or higher, iPhone users can communicate with Android users using all the advantages of RCS. The barriers between operating systems have finally fallen, and mobile messaging has become truly universal.

It’s here, you already have it

The best news is that you probably already have access to RCS and didn’t even know it. In Spain, practically all major carriers have already enabled support: Movistar, Orange, Vodafone, Yoigo, O2, and Pepephone. If you have a modern smartphone and your carrier is on that list, RCS is already working on your device.

You don’t need to download anything, register anywhere, or need special activation codes. Simply open your usual messages app and start writing. If the other person also has RCS enabled, you’ll automatically enjoy all the advanced features.

On Android, most devices already come with RCS enabled by default in the Google Messages app. On iPhone with iOS 18, the system automatically detects if your carrier supports RCS and enables it without you having to do anything.

More than just pretty messages

RCS isn’t just about sending animated emojis or flashy stickers. The practical implications are enormous, especially for services like Notifycal.

When we send reminders through RCS, we can include high-quality images, interactive buttons to confirm attendance, direct links that display correctly, and read confirmations to know the message arrived. The limits of traditional SMS disappear.

For businesses and automated services, RCS opens up a world of possibilities. Reminders can be more visual, more informative, and more effective, all while maintaining the simplicity and universality that makes SMS so reliable.

The future of mobile communication

RCS represents more than a technological update: it’s a fundamental change in how we understand mobile messaging. For the first time in years, we have a truly open standard that works on all devices and platforms.

Does this mean the end of WhatsApp and other messaging apps? Probably not in the short term. The end-to-end encryption these apps offer remains an important advantage for privacy. But RCS is evolving rapidly, and encryption is already on the standard’s roadmap.

What is clear is that RCS eliminates the main barrier to entry that advanced mobile communications had. You no longer need all your contacts to use the same app. Rich messaging is now a universal right, not a privilege limited to users of certain apps.

At Notifycal we believe that effective communication shouldn't depend on what apps each person has installed. That's why we offer RCS integration to send richer and more effective reminders to any user. If you're interested in this feature, contact us.

How to verify you have RCS enabled

If you want to make sure you’re taking advantage of RCS, it’s very simple to verify:

On Android: Open the Google Messages app, go to Settings and look for the “Chat features” or “RCS” option. If it’s enabled, you’ll see an indicator that says “Connected”.

On iPhone with iOS 18: Go to Settings, then to Apps, find Messages, and under “Text Messaging” you’ll see the “RCS Messaging” option if your carrier supports it. If the option doesn’t appear, your carrier may not have enabled the service yet.

Once enabled, when you write to someone who also has RCS, you’ll see “RCS Message” or “Chat” in the text field instead of “SMS Text Message”. It’s that simple.

Conclusion

RCS isn’t the future of messaging: it’s the present. The technology is here, working on millions of devices worldwide, finally bringing together Android and iOS users in a modern and seamless communication experience.

For services like Notifycal, having RCS integration means being able to offer more effective, visual, and interactive reminders to those clients who need it, maintaining the simplicity and universal reach that has always characterized mobile messaging.

The next time you send a message from your native messages app and see it being sent in high quality with read confirmations, remember it’s not magic: it’s RCS working silently to make mobile communication better for everyone.