RCS Business Messaging
Rich Communication Services (RCS) is a modern messaging protocol that enhances traditional SMS and MMS by enabling branded, interactive messages. It streamlines communication by supporting features like a branded profile, read receipts, and rich content, all within a device's default messaging app. RCS is compatible with Android and iOS 18 devices.
With Twilio, you can integrate RCS messaging into your existing communication strategies using familiar Twilio products and APIs. This requires no significant code changes. Twilio RCS capabilities use the same infrastructure that powers Programmable Messaging, so you can rely on Twilio's scalability, global reach, reliability, compliance, and analytics.
RCS improves upon the SMS and MMS messaging protocols with a series of features.
RCS helps your business present itself in your messaging:
- Provide branded communication: Customize messages with your brand name, logo, and color palette.
- Decoupled from phone numbers: In contrast to SMS, MMS, and P2P (person-to-person) RCS, RCS Business Messaging uses a branded sender profile rather than a traditional phone number to send messages.
RCS offers improved security and connectivity with fewer limitations:
- Follow recipients in real time: See typing indicators and get delivery and read receipts from your recipients.
- Send large media files: Send high-resolution images, videos, audio messages, and files up to 100 MB in size.
- Leverage Wi-Fi or mobile data: Improve the speed and reliability of your messages.
- Send longer messages: Support longer messages without segmentation.
- Manage group chats: Converse with multiple participants at a time.
- Secure conversations: Encrypt all messages end-to-end with Transport Layer Security (TLS).
RCS Business Messaging (RBM) includes multiple features that improve customer engagement.
- Suggest replies: Guide recipients with up to 11 suggested replies to your messages.
- Guide engagement: Offer your recipients up to 11 suggested actions they can take right from your message:
- Launch a native app: Open a mobile app.
- Open URL: Open a web page in a browser app.
- Open URL with webview: Open a web page within the messaging app.
- Dial phone: Prompt the recipient to dial a number you provide.
- View location on a map: Open the recipient's default map app to the location you specify.
- Show and request location: Let the recipient share their location.
- Create calendar event: Open the recipient's calendar with an event created with information you provide.
- Package messaging: Combine text, media, suggested replies, and suggested actions into one message called a rich card.
- Provide presentations: Send multiple rich cards in one message called a carousel.
To start using RCS messaging with Twilio, choose one of the following onboarding guides: