Overview

• Google reports that over one billion RCS messages are sent daily in the U.S., based on a 28-day rolling average.
• RCS, an upgrade to SMS, offers features like high-resolution media sharing, read receipts, typing indicators, and improved group chat functionality.
• Apple added RCS support to its Messages app with the launch of iOS 18 in fall 2024, bridging feature gaps between Android and iOS devices.
• Despite adopting RCS, Apple continues to display these chats as green bubbles, preserving the visual divide between platforms.
• Google has not disclosed additional RCS metrics, such as specific user counts or carrier support, leaving some adoption details unclear.