RCS for Business

So is RCS a Google platform, like how iMessage is an Apple platform? It might theoretically be a GSMA standard, but from their marketing page and how it's implemented in reality, it seems like it's the former.

Re: RCS for Business

#5

Post by adzm » Tue, Jan 20, 2026, 10:57 PM UTC

kotaKat wrote: post #3

If RCS is supposed to be an open standard, then how come Google can gatekeep the "for business" bit for themselves?

Pretty much because the other major telcos tried to run their own rcs services and did so terribly

Re: RCS for Business

#6

Post by spogbiper » Tue, Jan 20, 2026, 11:00 PM UTC

gruez wrote: post #4

So is RCS a Google platform, like how iMessage is an Apple platform? It might theoretically be a GSMA standard, but from their marketing page and how it's implemented in reality, it seems like it's the former.

A bit different in that RCS is available on both iOS and Android (and I guess theoretically other platforms?) while iMessage is strictly Apple devices

Re: RCS for Business

#7

Post by dfajgljsldkjag » Tue, Jan 20, 2026, 11:03 PM UTC

It's unfortunate that RCS is basically a de-facto Google walled garden in most countries. On android you can only use RCS in the Google Messages app and trying to build your own is explicitly blocked. [1] And of course the bonus that rooted devices are banned from RCS. All the propaganda Google spread to get Apple onboard (only with Google's blessing of course, Google could kick apple off if they wanted) was such a big win for them.

As a business I wanted RCS to be a simple upgrade to SMS, but instead they came up with this mess. Businesses using RCS for Business can send messages to anyone, but customers wanting to get in touch with your business can't. They can only reply to a message you sent first. And of course Google is the gatekeeper for anyone to be allowed to use it.

1. https://github.com/microg/GmsCore/issues/2994

Re: RCS for Business

#8

Post by sitzkrieg » Tue, Jan 20, 2026, 11:05 PM UTC

dfajgljsldkjag wrote: post #7

It's unfortunate that RCS is basically a de-facto Google walled garden in most countries. On android you can only use RCS in the Google Messages app and trying to build your own is explicitly blocked. [1] And of course the bonus that rooted devices are banned from RCS. All the propaganda Google spread to get Apple onboard (only with Google's blessing of course, Google could kick apple off if they wanted) was such a b…

to your point i had problems with RCS in an entire organization because you must allow *.goog for rcs to work correctly

Re: RCS for Business

#9

Post by ianburrell » Tue, Jan 20, 2026, 11:05 PM UTC

gruez wrote: post #4

So is RCS a Google platform, like how iMessage is an Apple platform? It might theoretically be a GSMA standard, but from their marketing page and how it's implemented in reality, it seems like it's the former.

RCS is a standard, but it needs hosted services for providers. Providers can either host themselves, or contract with someone like Google Jibe Cloud. Also, Google provides services for Android for providers that don't have it. iPhone depends on the provider so has less coverage.

Re: RCS for Business

#10

Post by navigate8310 » Tue, Jan 20, 2026, 11:09 PM UTC

dfajgljsldkjag wrote: post #7

It's unfortunate that RCS is basically a de-facto Google walled garden in most countries. On android you can only use RCS in the Google Messages app and trying to build your own is explicitly blocked. [1] And of course the bonus that rooted devices are banned from RCS. All the propaganda Google spread to get Apple onboard (only with Google's blessing of course, Google could kick apple off if they wanted) was such a b…

> Businesses using RCS for Business can send messages to anyone, but customers wanting to get in touch with your business can't.

Basically for blasting spam and ads, which RCS is already notorious for.