What RCS is
RCS (Rich Communication Services) is the upgrade to SMS built into phones' default messaging apps. For businesses, RCS Business Messaging adds a verified sender: your brand name, logo, and a verified badge at the top of the conversation. Messages can carry rich cards, image carousels, and suggested replies customers tap instead of type. Customers don't download anything.
Who can receive it
Android phones with Google Messages support it widely. iPhones on iOS 18.1 and later can receive RCS business messages on carriers that have enabled it with Apple, and that rollout is still uneven. Some of your customers will get RCS and some won't. That's why every RCS program needs an SMS fallback.
RCS doesn't replace 10DLC
When a phone can't receive RCS, your provider sends the message as SMS or MMS instead. That fallback goes out from your regular number, so it still needs 10DLC registration. Plan on doing both. Make sure your opt-in covers both channels too.
What's different about RCS approval
- You register an agent: the branded sender profile customers see, with a name, description, logo, banner, brand color, and contact details
- The images have exact specs. On Twilio, the logo is 224 x 224 px under 50 KB and the banner is 1440 x 448 px under 200 KB, both PNG or JPEG.
- The brand color needs at least 4.5:1 contrast against white
- Reviewers want a preview video of the working agent and a tested conversation on a real device
- Google may email your brand contact to verify the launch. A slow reply holds everything up.
- In the US, carriers review it too. Plan on four to six weeks.
What stays the same
The core of the review matches 10DLC: explicit opt-in with public proof, realistic sample messages that fit your use case, working STOP handling, and a public privacy policy and terms. If your 10DLC registration is solid, most of your RCS package is already written.
Should a small business bother?
If you send plain reminders and confirmations, SMS does the job and RCS is optional. RCS earns its keep when a message works better visual or tappable: a booking button, a menu of time slots, product photos, or a branded sender customers trust before they open the message.
Start with SMS. Add RCS when you have a message that would clearly work better with it.
Get the package right once
Cleared to Send's RCS readiness tool builds the agent profile, checks your logo and banner files against the specs, and lays out the consent and testing evidence reviewers ask for. It's included with a free workspace.
Common questions
Is RCS replacing SMS?
Not soon. RCS is spreading, but not every phone and carrier supports business RCS yet. SMS is the fallback that reaches everyone, so you need both.
Does iPhone support RCS business messaging?
iPhones on iOS 18.1 and later can receive RCS business messages on carriers that have enabled it with Apple. Support is still rolling out, so iPhone users on other carriers get your SMS fallback.
Do I need 10DLC if I use RCS?
Yes, if your fallback sends from a US local number. Messages that fall back to SMS go out from your registered number, so your 10DLC registration still has to be in place.
How long does RCS approval take?
Plan on four to six weeks in the US, between agent review, brand verification, and carrier review. Missing assets or a slow reply to the verification email add time.
Does RCS cost more than SMS?
Often, per message, with pricing that varies by message type and provider. Check your provider's RCS pricing before you plan a campaign around it.