Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) – RCS for Business

Ans. RCS for Business (Rich Communication Services) is an advanced messaging channel that enables brands to send verified, interactive messages with images, videos, carousels, and buttons directly within the Android default messaging app.

Ans. RCS messages are sent through an authorized RCS platform and delivered via supported telecom operators to Android devices using Google Messages. If unsupported, messages automatically fall back to SMS.

Ans. Unlike SMS, RCS supports rich media, verified sender branding, read receipts, and interactive buttons. It provides a more engaging experience while working inside the device’s native messaging app.

Ans. Yes. RCS supports verified sender profiles, secure operator routing, and brand authentication. Businesses must complete verification before sending campaigns, ensuring trust and protection against misuse.

Ans. Industries such as eCommerce, retail, banking, travel, education, and telecom benefit from RCS due to its rich media capabilities and higher engagement compared to standard text messaging.

Ans. RCS is primarily supported on Android smartphones running Android 5.0 (Lollipop) and above with Google Messages enabled and mobile data active. As of 2024–2025, Apple introduced RCS support starting with iOS 18, but availability depends on carrier support. Unsupported devices automatically receive SMS fallback.

Ans. RCS messaging in India is supported on major telecom networks such as Reliance Jio, Bharti Airtel, and Vodafone Idea (Vi), subject to Android compatibility and Google Messages activation.

Ans. RCS is primarily supported on Android 5.0 and above using Google Messages with mobile data enabled. iOS support remains limited, and unsupported devices receive fallback SMS.

Ans. No. RCS messages are delivered through the default messaging app, typically Google Messages. Customers only need an RCS-enabled Android device with active mobile data or Wi-Fi.

Ans. If a recipient’s device does not support RCS, the message automatically falls back to standard SMS, ensuring communication continuity.

Ans. Deliverability depends on device compatibility, mobile data connectivity, operator support, message approval status, and campaign compliance.

Ans. Yes. When RCS is unavailable due to device or network limitations, messages automatically fall back to SMS to maintain reach.

Ans. RCS supports images, videos, carousels, branded sender profiles, suggested replies, clickable buttons, read receipts, and delivery tracking for enhanced engagement.

Ans. Yes. RCS supports two-way messaging with suggested replies and interactive buttons, allowing customers to respond directly within the conversation thread.

Ans. Yes. RCS allows in-chat interaction through buttons and quick replies, reducing redirection and improving engagement within a single messaging experience.

Ans. An RCS rich card typically supports up to 2–3 action buttons per card, depending on operator configuration and campaign format.

Ans. Yes. RCS supports clickable URLs within the message body and CTA buttons, subject to campaign approval and compliance policies.

Ans. Yes. WhatsApp links may be used within CTA buttons if they comply with operator guidelines and brand safety policies.

Ans. A Rich Card is an interactive message format that combines media, title, description, and action buttons within a structured layout to guide user engagement.

Ans. Rich Cards include media (image or video), title text, description text, suggested replies, and action buttons such as website or call actions.

RCS uses Unicode Transformation Format – 8-bit (UTF-8) encoding. This encoding allows support for multiple languages and special characters while maintaining compatibility across modern devices.

In UTF-8 encoding, each character can use between 1 to 4 bytes depending on the language and symbols used. Standard English characters typically use fewer bytes than special or regional characters.

Ans. RCS messages support up to approximately 10,000 characters, depending on the format, allowing for detailed content alongside media and interactive elements.

Ans. The recommended title length is up to 200 characters, although shorter titles under 100 characters are preferred for better readability.

Ans. Description text can typically support up to 1,000 characters depending on format, but concise messaging improves user engagement.

Ans. Suggested reply and action button text is generally limited to 25 characters per button to ensure proper display across devices.

Ans. A Rich Card can support multiple interactive elements, typically up to 4–5 suggested replies or actions, depending on layout and configuration.

Ans. RCS supports images, videos, carousels, and, in certain configurations in India, PDF files through Google Messages.

Ans. Supported image formats include JPG, JPEG, PNG, and GIF (static). Supported video formats include H.263, M4V, MP4, MPEG, MPEG-4, and WebM.

Ans. Thumbnails are typically optimized for fast loading, with recommended dimensions around 400×400 pixels and file size under 100 KB.

Ans. The recommended logo aspect ratio is 1:1, ideally 224×224 pixels. File size should remain under 100 KB in PNG format with a transparent background.

Ans. Header images typically follow a 16:9 ratio with recommended resolution 1440×810 pixels and maximum file size under 2 MB. Larger desktop and mobile dimensions may also be supported.

Ans. Rich Card images support 2:1 (1440×720 recommended), 16:9, and 7:3 ratios with maximum size of 2 MB in JPG or PNG format.

Ans. Videos should ideally be MP4, M4V, MPEG, MPEG-4, or WebM format, recommended under 10 MB, 16:9 aspect ratio, and optimized resolution such as 1440×720 pixels.

Ans. Banners should maintain high resolution, minimal text overlay, and recommended dimensions such as 1440×448 pixels with file size under 2 MB.

Ans. RCS promotional campaigns should follow telecom marketing guidelines and explicit user consent practices. Campaigns are recommended during standard business hours.

Ans. Yes. Explicit opt-in is required before sending promotional RCS messages to comply with operator and regulatory policies.

Ans. Businesses must provide legal entity documents, brand verification details, sender profile information, campaign use case descriptions, and content samples for approval.

Ans. Delivery rates depend on Android compatibility, mobile data availability, and operator support. SMS fallback helps maintain extended reach.

Ans. YourBulkSMS provides onboarding assistance, verified sender setup, template support, campaign management, analytics tracking, and technical guidance for smooth implementation.