The developer’s introduction to RCS
Beyond text.
Into conversation.
Bring useful actions into the messaging inbox. Explore RCS: branded messages, rich cards and replies that connect back to your application.
RCS / SMS / MMS
A little time to make.
Your pottery workshop is tomorrow at 10:30. Everything you need is waiting.
Media + action + suggested replies. The next step is part of the message.
Text + a link. Keep the essential information in a self-contained message.
North Studio: see you tomorrow at 10:30 for your pottery workshop.
north.example/bookingMedia + text. Attachment support and limits depend on the route and device.
Illustrative layouts. Actual appearance varies by messaging app. Photo: Tuan Nguyen / Unsplash.
01 / The channel
The inbox is familiar.
The possibilities are richer.
RCS stands for Rich Communication Services. RCS for Business lets a business exchange branded, interactive messages with people in supported messaging apps.
Think of an appointment reminder with a reply, an order update with a tracking action, or a support conversation with clear choices. The next step can begin inside the message.
Explore Google’s RCS overview ↗02 / For developers
A conversation is
an event-driven flow.
Your application sends a message through an API. Incoming replies and message events arrive through webhooks. Design the user journey and the event handling together.
A booking, an update,
a customer request.
Content and actions
for the recipient.
A webhook connects
the conversation back.
Start with one useful exchange. Define what each reply means, how you handle repeated events, and when the conversation is complete.
Read Google’s webhook guide ↗03 / One journey, different formats
Keep the intent.
Adapt the message.
RCS, SMS and MMS can serve the same customer journey. Their content, reach and delivery behavior differ: check capabilities, write a useful alternative, and decide when fallback should happen.
See the delivery decision diagram ↗The reading room
Get the foundations right.
Before you build
A few practical questions.
Does RCS work on every phone?
No. Check business messaging availability for your sender and target recipients. Consumer RCS support alone does not establish that a business sender can reach a device.
What is an RCS agent?
An agent represents a business in the RCS conversation. It has a profile and is connected to the application that handles messages and events. In this context, “agent” does not necessarily mean an AI assistant.
What changes between testing and launch?
Testing uses invited test devices. Reaching customers requires brand verification and launch approval for the relevant networks. Read Google’s launch guidance.
From learning to implementation
Meet the Smerio Hub.
Explore the workspace we are building for senders, integration and launch readiness.
Explore the Hub →Build with a clear starting point
What should your
next message do?
Talk to Smerio about your use case, target market and integration.