Android users are familiar with the cliched form of messaging instilled in their devices. But Android messaging in the 21st century should not be monotonous and be limited to texting only. I mean, why stick to being ordinary when RCS (rich communication services) avails you to be extraordinary. Although RCS sounds very flat, its functions are not.
RCS elevates the gameplay of Android messaging to a whole new level. With this exceptional feature, now even Android can give neck-to-neck competition to the other devices on the grounds of being relaxed and multifunctional. Although RCS is finally on Android devices, it is not turned on by default.
Hence, we need to put in a little effort to set it to default. Here is an in-depth tutorial on how to enable RCS messaging in Google messages on Android devices. The modern world is one where communication is vital. Gone are the days of long and exhausting waiting to respond to a letter – communication is instant, and anything less than that is now unacceptable to people. Communication is caged within our hands. Its fundamental feature is the speed at which it is possible.
RCS has been in the pipeline for quite a while, yet it’s at last shown up on Android appropriately. Most readily accessible as an endeavor, Google turned out RCS for its Google Messages application in late 2019. Nonetheless, it’s not turned on as a matter of course, so you’ll have to look around to turn it on appropriately. So while you’ll possibly get these highlights if both yourself and your beneficiary have RCS empowered, it’s as yet worth turning on, regardless of whether it’s just in case. So here’s how to empower RCS in Google Messages.
One of the most widely used communication ways is instant messaging, the essential communication tool today. Be it personal interactions or business discussions, instant messaging is the preferred mode of communication, even though emails still sway the professional world. The ease with which communication can be facilitated via texts is unparalleled. Spoofing and phishing attacks can be carried out over RCS messaging, making it important for users to be aware of the risks and take steps to protect themselves. This convenient mode of communication has thus, also eclipsed the need to and reliance on talking on calls. The short, crisp, and direct approach of texts, accompanied by its instantaneity, has revolutionized communications and eradicated most competition.
What is RCS Messaging?
Texting is simple and easy, which is why even businesses have begun to rely on it for reaching out to clients, marketing their products, and offering their services. In addition to text messages, chatting Apps like WhatsApp, WeChat, Viber, and increasingly even Instagram are used as platforms to conduct business transactions, transcending their usual function of being spaces of interpersonal contact only. These chatting apps are dynamic, which gives them an edge over standard messaging.
The vibrant interface, accompanied by additional features like stickers, voice messages, group chats, etc., gives these apps an advantage over traditional texting. Mobile KPIs such as click-through rates (CTRs), conversion rates (CVRs), and engagement rates can be used to measure the success of RCS messaging campaigns. The use of such captivating and engaging features guarantees a better user experience and provides the user with a chance to be more expressive over text. RCS Messaging, or Rich Communication Services, is the enhanced version of SMS championed by Android. RCS is significantly more interactive than SMS and can be seen as an attempt to emulate the features of the chatting mentioned above apps. High-resolution photos, location sharing, video sharing, etc., have all been made available to use via SMS by upgrading it to RCS.
Moreover, attempts have been made to make messaging fun and interactive via RCS. Since text messaging is made more engaging by RCS, it might also divert traffic back towards text messaging from other chatting apps. RCS, therefore, might be able to bring back the popularity of text messages, which was lost over the years to talking apps.
How to Prepare
You can follow a few steps to enable RCS messaging, but it’s vital to remember the precise requirements. RCS must be available in your location, and your carrier must support it, however, bear in mind that to access the new chat features, RCS will require your Wi-Fi or mobile data connection. They won’t work without a data connection. Application modernization can help businesses to improve the user experience of their RCS messaging applications by making them more modern, engaging, and secure. If your phone is unable to establish a link, it will revert to SMS messaging. It’s not a big deal, but it’s something to consider if you don’t have an unlimited plan.
If your default settings aren’t what you want, head to the Settings app,
then Applications and notifications > Advanced > Default apps > SMS app.
Then, as your default messaging program, choose Messages. If you already have it downloaded, go to the Play Store, and get the Messages app. When you launch it, it will prompt you to make it your default messaging app.
How to Enable RCS Messaging in Google Messages on Android Phones?
Specific prerequisites need to be kept in mind before RCS Messaging can be activated on your Android Phones. These are :
- RCS facilities need to be available in the region you are currently in
- Your carrier should be able to support and facilitate RCS Messaging.
- New chat features made available by RCS can only be accessed if the device is connected to either the Wi-Fi or has an active mobile data connection.
- Google Messages should be the device’s default messaging app.
If these prerequisite needs are met, you can move forward with enabling RCS Messaging on your phone. The steps are as follows :
- Open the Messages App.
- Click on/tap the three dots that are in the upper-right corner.
- A drop-down menu will appear—select Settings from the menu.
- Once you have selected the Settings menu, tap on Chat Features.
- Select Enable Chat Features to turn on RCS Messaging.
- Once you choose this option, a new bar will appear. This bar will show Setting Up.
- Wait for the setup to be completed. The completion process should not take more than a few seconds and certainly not more than a couple of minutes.
- Once the design is completed, the bar will show Connected in green color.
- You might not enable RCS during the first attempt – this is no cause for worry. Try to follow the exact instructions when you have access to a more stable internet connection.
Conclusion
Rich Communication Services or RCS can thus be seen as a modified and improvised form of texting, which both people and businesses can use to suit their individual needs. The ability of RCS to adapt to the tailor-made requirements of both person–to–person interactions and application–to–person interactions will serve as a boon in letting its popularity surge.
Suppose the criteria to enable RCS are met. In that case, there is no reason why a person would not choose to avail of this service and reap the benefits of interactive communication via text.
With mass text messaging services, messaging gains traction in the coming years and continues to mold itself according to the various needs of users. In that case, texting might reassert its dominance over other chatting apps in the communication world. It can feel that RCS Messaging tries to copy a lot of the functions of popular Instant Messaging applications available today. Nevertheless, it is still an excellent addition to the functionality of smartphones and bright devices. We know mobile carriers have been slow in adopting new and innovative technologies. Still, we can be sure that widespread use of RCS functionality will benefit every one of us.
