RCS Business Messaging Across Android and Apple

SMS is reliable - but RCS is powerful. Now that both Android and iOS support RCS, brands can send richer, smarter, and more interactive messages than ever before.

What is RCS and why it is Interesting?

RCS (Rich Communication Services) is the next-gen SMS. It lives in your native messaging app - no need for new downloads or extra apps. It lets businesses send images, carousels, buttons, receipts, even chatbots - right from the user's default app.

Until recently, RCS was limited to Android. But with Apple's iOS 18 rollout in late 2024, iPhones can now both send and receive RCS messages - joining a unified, rich-messaging ecosystem.

When will RCS be available for everyone?

Even though Apple has now adopted RCS technology, local mobile operators must still update their technical infrastructure to allow messages to be sent. A large number of mobile operators have managed to make this change already, however in some regions, the development has been slower. This means that in some markets, RCS messages will not yet be deliverable.

Rest assured, however, that all countries are working towards having 100% reach for Apple RCS and at LINK we can arrange for fallback SMS messages to be sent, so that 100% of your audience can still automatically receive your message, no matter what device or mobile network they use.

What Makes RCS Stand Out for Business

RCS adds the depth and interactivity businesses crave - all without extra friction:

• Rich Media & Interactivity
  Carousels, images, videos, click-to-action buttons, and maps - all inline

• Verified Brand Identity
  Logos and branded sender views build trust

• User Experience Parity
  Works natively on both Android (via Google Messages/Samsung) and iOS

• Analytics & Reporting
  See delivery, read receipts, impressions, and conversions

• Smooth Conversations
  Chat with support, send receipts, or confirm bookings - all within the same threading

Android + iOS = Unified Rich Messaging

Before RCS was supported by Apple, brands had to choose: send plain SMS (green bubble) or iMessage (blue bubble). Now, brand messages behave the same - rich, engaging, and trusted - regardless of platform

That means:

• No need to build multiple messaging paths

• Better ROI from richer experiences

• Seamless two-way communication with trusted sender identity

LINK Mobility’s RCS Business Messaging Advantage

LINK Mobility’s RCS platform - winner of Juniper’s 2025 Best RCS Solution in Europe - makes it easy for brands to harness all of it.

• Integrate with your systems via API

• Craft rich, branded messages with images, buttons, videos

• Add conversational flows with AI chat or live agents

• Browse carts, launch payment links, send order updates

• Access analytics to track opens, clicks, and conversions

• Unified delivery across Android and iOS

When to Use RCS and Next Campaign Ideas

RCS messaging is not just for sending text - it is built for interaction. With rich media, carousels, suggested replies, and in-message buttons, you can turn everyday notifications into branded, conversion-focused journeys. Below are common business use cases and how RCS adds value to each:

The Messaging Future Is Rich, Unified and Engaging

Now that RCS is live on both Android and iOS, business messaging has taken a major leap forward. No more platform gaps - just rich, branded, and interactive conversations that reach every customer with the same high quality.

From visuals and carousels to suggested replies and in-message buttons, the possibilities are no longer limited by device type. RCS makes messaging more engaging, more measurable, and more personal.