Apple’s iMessage is the glue that retains customers caught to the iPhone. 
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Android telephones do many issues effectively, however on the subject of texting, the iPhone has Google beat. Apple’s iMessage app helps group messaging and skim receipts, and has that addictive blue bubble that mechanically texts different iPhone customers over Wi-Fi, not simply your mobile information connection. The proven fact that Android cellphone makers use completely different messaging apps by default retains the act of texting from changing into as indispensable as iMessage is to iPhone customers. Google needs to alter all that, and is working with US carriers to make textual content messaging extra highly effective, extra constant throughout Android telephones and extra enjoyable to make use of. It will take work, although, specifically getting carriers to undertake a messaging protocol known as RCS.Here’s a take a look at what RCS is and does, what it’s going to provide you with and once you may have the ability to begin utilizing it in your Android cellphone.

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What does RCS imply?RCS is a sort of messaging protocol that stands for Rich Communication Services. When it is broadly accessible, it is going to exchange SMS, the textual content messaging commonplace that is been used because the 1990’s. SMS messaging has advanced some over time, increasing previous the unique 160 character restrict and including MMS (multimedia messaging) for sending photos and movies. However, SMS is beginning to present its age and limitations. RCS would permit texting on Android to be as versatile and highly effective as textual content message platforms like WhatsApp and WeChat, for instance. Group messaging will get a complete lot higher with RCS messaging. 
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How will RCS make texting higher?The largest change is that RCS messaging will allow you to share high-resolution pictures, movies, GIFs and texts over Wi-Fi in addition to over your cellphone’s information connection. You’ll have the ability to see if contacts can be found, once they’re typing to you and once they’ve learn a message. Group conversations may also see enhancements. It’s principally iMessage, however for Android. Google has a complete web site devoted to explaining the advantages of RCS messaging if you wish to get into the finer particulars. What different options will RCS have? Once RCS messaging turns into extra distinguished, you’ll chat with companies to position and monitor orders, make funds and get assist with a product. Business chat is one thing that Apple’s iMessage platform at present has, however bringing an analogous function to Android customers is a welcome addition. How RCS texting will work on Android telephonesIf you’ve gotten a cellphone and use a wi-fi provider that helps RCS (extra on this in a minute) you must solely must open Google’s Messages app and comply with the prompts when requested if you wish to use chat options. After chat is enabled, you’ll be able to proceed to make use of the Messages app as you usually do, however everytime you’re speaking to somebody who additionally has the function turned on, you may get the added options of RCS messaging. Some device-makers, like Samsung, have built-in Google’s RCS platform into its personal default Messages app, and over time firms like LG may do the identical. But proper now, your greatest wager is to make use of Google’s Messages app. Doing so will provide you with the additional benefit of having the ability to ship textual content messages out of your laptop, and you will obtain an alert every time RCS messaging is obtainable in your cellphone and provider. If your provider helps RCS, Google’s Messages app could have settings for the chat function.  
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I’ve Google’s Messages put in however haven’t got RCS. Why?This is the place RCS will get messy. In order for RCS to work, your cellphone and your wi-fi provider each must help it. Unfortunately, it isn’t so simple as Google releasing an app, you putting in it, after which getting access to the brand new options. We’ve seen various bulletins and partnerships from Google, Android system makers, and even carriers that RCS is lastly going to roll out. But the reality is, solely a small variety of telephones on a fair smaller checklist of carriers at present help it.Which carriers and telephones work with RCS texting now? Right now, there are a couple of telephones and carriers that help it, nevertheless it’s very hit and miss.  Verizon added RCS help for the Pixel 3 and Pixel 3 XL and supposed to help the Galaxy S9 and S9 Plus, however that is the place the enjoyable stopped. In 2018, Google and Samsung introduced a partnership to deliver RCS messaging to extra Android units, however with out provider help, it doesn’t suggest a lot. Adding to the confusion are firms like Verizon, whose Message+ textual content messaging app helps RCS, however does not use Google’s Universal Profile. So, when you’re a Verizon buyer who makes use of Message+, you should use the RCS spinoff so long as you are chatting with one other Verizon consumer who can also be utilizing Message+. There are some carriers that help Google’s RCS Universal Profile and you should use RCS on proper now, comparable to Sprint and Google Fi. Outside of the US, Google enabled RCS for the UK and France in July of 2019. If you are not positive in case your provider helps it, GadgetHacks has a implausible breakdown of carriers and their respective approaches to RCS throughout the globe. When will I get RCS messaging on my Android cellphone?Good query. Right now, it does not appear to be it is going to be anytime quickly. Especially now that carriers within the US have determined they will construct out their very own messaging platform, with help for Google’s Universal Profile, with roll-out going down someday in 2020. That means that you could be finally see an improved messaging expertise in your Android cellphone right here within the US, nevertheless it may doubtlessly be a fractured or inconsistent expertise because of the wi-fi carriers’ implementation. We’re following the story and can replace this FAQ as growth come up. Until then, the one factor we will do is wait.Samsung’s Messages app helps RCS, as effectively. 
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What about RCS on my iPhone?Apple has saved quiet about its intention for supporting RCS on the iPhone. But it is more likely that Apple will maintain utilizing its personal iMessage platform to make iPhone customers really feel like they’re a part of a rarified group.How to make use of RCS proper now no matter your provider, with a catchReddit customers discovered a solution to allow RCS on any Android cellphone, no matter provider. If something, it proves that Google may activate RCS messaging for all Android customers with out provider approval. Google’s unlikely to danger alienating its helpful enterprise companions.The course of is considerably technical, however the directions are straight-forward. Keep in thoughts that you simply’re accepting some danger by making an attempt it out, and this system may cease working at any second. That’s the character of the beast.If you are bored with commonplace textual content messaging, try these messaging apps that provide their very own iMessage-like options. Then once more, you possibly can at all times bounce ship to iPhone — it isn’t as exhausting as you’d suppose. Hopefully, we see mass adoption of RCS messaging ahead of later. 
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