1. Introduction:
When RCS chat is enabled in Google Messages, you can enjoy secure, interactive messages on your Android phone, something that previously required a third-party app. RCS chat is quickly becoming one of the world's most popular texting standards, as it adds many advanced features like advanced media sharing, inline replies, typing indicators, and encryption.
2. What is RCS Messaging, and what’s different about it vs. regular text messages?
Rich Communications Services (RCS) is a communication protocol that will ultimately replace MMS and SMS messages on Android devices. Although the protocol was created in 2007, it failed to take off until fairly recently.
Google worked closely with the GSMA, its members, and carriers around the globe to create a universal profile for RCS that uses Android’s Messages client in 2019. Many Android users can use RCS Messaging now, but the messaging protocol is not supported on iOS.
The RCS update offers a better overall messaging experience with features that are similar to what you’ll find on iMessage, WhatsApp, and Facebook Messenger. Encrypted messaging, enhanced media sharing, group chats, and real-time typing indicators are just a few of the improvements that come with RCS chat.
Most modern Android phones ship with Google Messages as the default texting app, which includes RCS.
3. How to turn on or off RCS Chats in the Google Messages app?
All realme phones with Google Messages app support RCS chats, please follow the path to enable chat features:
1. Open the Messages app > Google account profile picture > Messages settings > RCS chats > switch for Turn on/off RCS chats.
2. You might be asked to verify your phone number.
3. You'll see Status: Connected when verification is complete. Once you're connected, RCS is ready to go.
4. With RCS disabled, the messages you send and receive revert to traditional SMS/MMS text format until you enable RCS again.
4. What RCS features does Google Messages have?
RCS chat can share high-resolution photos and videos, an improvement over traditional texts. You can also send messages over Wi-Fi and mobile data. In the RCS chats section of the Settings menu, you'll see more options to enhance your chats:
Send read receipts: This feature marks a message as read, so you don't need to confirm everything.
Real-time typing indicators: Turning this on lets others know you're typing, a sign that your reply is in progress.
Automatically resend as text (SMS/MMS messages): If switched on, your message is sent as a traditional text if RCS isn't available.
Automatically download files over mobile data: This control lets you limit the size of files or disable downloads when using mobile data.
Automatically downloading files while roaming is a toggle that is off by default to prevent the possibility of extra carrier charges.
5. Google Messages has plenty of built-in features that work without any setup:
Message reactions: If both users have RCS enabled, you can react to each other's messages. Press and hold the message you want to react to, and a menu with emoji to select pops up. Tap the emoji you want to react with, and the other person can see your reaction. This works for all users, with or without RCS.
Group messages: A group message is created if all users texted have RCS. This group message lets all users take advantage of RCS features. For instance, if one person is typing, all other users will see that.
End-to-end encryption: Encryption is enabled if both users have RCS. You'll know you are using encryption if you see a lock icon next to your read receipt on a message you sent.
Respond to individual messages: You can respond to a specific message in a conversation to make it clear what you're responding to. Hold down the message and tap the arrow that pops up to reply to the specific message.
Watch YouTube videos in app: If someone sends a link to a YouTube video, you can watch it in the app and respond quickly.
Smart reply: These one-tap responses make basic communication super quick and easy.
