Methods of Texting - RCS

[GTW]

Why do some of my contacts default to RCS text messages, while others default to SMS?  And how do I change this for each contact?  Thanks.

GTW

[WelshTerrier · Accepted solution]

RCS is kind of like the new kid on the block. RCS is a revamped form of messaging that comes with a host of functionality and security features that SMS simply cannot provide. Depending on your device, & your friend's device, this feature may be being used by them & turned on in their device.

The key difference between RCS and SMS is that SMS sends messages over the cellular network, while RCS content requires data connectivity before it can be transmitted. In some situations where data connectivity is not available, it's still possible to send and receive SMS-supported messages.

Smartphones running Android OS 5.0 and higher can access RCS. Users can enable or disable RCS chats via Settings > Chat features. From here, simply toggle the Enable chat features on to enable RCS.

As of September 16 2024, RCS is available on iOS 18.0 with iPhone XS and newer models.  Learn more about RCS on Apple.

 It now becomes a matter of choice, availability & preference.

You need to consider & stay with whatever works best for you. Even though RCS improves the texting experience on an Android device, it might not be the preferred solution for everyone. You may want to turn it off if you decide RCS isn't for you. If you have issues with the connection, turning off the setting and reactivating it might be a good reason to do so. Keep in mind RCS requires data connectivity.

Turn on RCS chats in Google Messages - Google Messages

How to turn off RCS chats (google.com)

Thank you for reaching out to the Bell Community Forum.

Take care.

[Sexylady]

U can go on the app message u can turn it off call message setting 

[WelshTerrier]

Smartphones running Android OS 5.0 and higher can access RCS. Users can enable or disable RCS chats via Settings > Chat features. From here, simply toggle the Enable chat features on to enable RCS.

Apple does not support RCS, and there is no indication it will do so in the near future. Instead, Apple continues to push its proprietary messaging system, iMessage. I have included a couple of links to assist you in explaining RCS.

If you have issues with the connection, turning off the setting and reactivating it might be a good reason to do so. Keep in mind RCS requires data connectivity.

Turn on RCS chats in Google Messages - Google Messages

How to turn off RCS chats (google.com)

Thank you for reaching out to the Bell Community Forum.

Take care.

[Teo]

Apple supports RCS starting in iOS 18 (which will be available to everyone in September 2024).

In the public beta you can enable/disable RCS in: Settings > Apps > Messages > RCS Messaging

Be aware that RCS will automatically fallback to regular SMS if for any reason the receiver is not identified as RCS capable, even temporarily. You CANNOT disable that behavior on iOS 18 so far. Maybe in a future update...

I was able to RCS a friend on Android in a different country without additional charges. As far as I can tell on my usage details, it's not considered "Text usage" and does not appear there, which tends to confirm Bell Mobility fully considers it data with no strings attached. It's expected, but still good news 🙂

[WelshTerrier]

Good Day.

Thank you for your words of wisdom & advice. I can not speak on RCS until iOS 18 is releaed & Bell Mobility decides on this data issue.

All I can say is: "Stay Tuned! Breaking news will follow after Apple releases iOS 18."

Take care.

[Teo]

What data issue? 🤔

[WelshTerrier]

My apologies. I should clarify my point

Texting from a mobile phone is part of a cellular call system's Short Message Service (SMS). Sending a text doesn't use data allowance per se, but unless SMS is included in a monthly plan, there may be a small fee for each text.

I can not speak on RCS until iOS 18 is released & Bell Mobility decides on this.

[Teo]

ok

Well, as I was writing in my first post, my test in the beta indicates it's counted in my data. I hope it'll stay the same, after all RCS whatever the OS is a communication protocol standard. Unless Bell Mobility changes the way they handle RCS altogether... which I guess is their right. We'll see...

[dks]

iOS 18 Public Beta states clearly, "Sending and receiving with RCS uses wireless data. Cellular network identifiers may be shared with your carrier and its partners.". The support page with more information from Apple, can't be found. 

[Teo]

Don't get me wrong, technically speaking there is no question, it's using data.

But like any protocol, it can then be segregated and treated as its own "thing" that providers can decide however they want to deal with. That's the reason why you have mobile services that will allow you unlimited 720p videos (just as an example), versus capping everything else. It's because protocols can be inspected and segregated for quality of service, which is just a fancy way to say prioritizing based on arbitrary criteria.

So, knowing that currently Bell Mobility count RCS as data, not SMS, is just me saying I'm happy it's in the general category of data because it allows for more "freedom" on how we the customer can use it.

Just saying I'm happy about it 🙂

[WelshTerrier]

Good Day….. as I said in my original reply. Data is being used! How it is being used, applied & billed is beyond my pay grade.

That decision will be made by Bell Motility at the time of its release.

I can not speak on RCS until iOS 18 is released & Bell Mobility decides on this.

All I can say is: "Stay Tuned! Breaking news will follow after Apple releases iOS 18."

Take care.

[TwitchyPuppy]

I'm on iOS 18 Dev Beta and I have to admit the RCS feature is pretty neat! Especially with those Android people you're often exchanging pictures or gifs, they're definitely higher quality than before 😁

[1234567890]

I'm wondering why RCS is not working between my iphone 15 pro max on IOS18 and my wife's galaxy s21 fully updated to latest OS. RCS worked immediately after updating to IOS18 with everyone else on android that are with other carriers, but for some reason despite my wife and I both being on Bell, with RCS enabled, we only get SMS between us. We both get RCS from other people, just not each other. I guess maybe at least one of us should change carriers for things to work? That's how it seems.

[Maki0]

So I have the Samsung Flip 5 and using the google message app.  When I go in the settings to enable RCS, it says that the future isn't supported by my carrier (Bell). Yet my last Android phone which was running on Android 8.0 had RCS!

Any insights on this?

I feel I have done everything that I can, ie: using the Google message application instead of the Samsung one, new phone... and when I look on Bell's website it says that they do support RCS. And as I mentioned from my own personal experience, just a few months ago my old phone was running RCS without any issues.

Thank you for your help.