what are rcs chats on android

RCS (Rich Communication Services) chats provide an upgraded, rich messaging experience on Android devices. They offer features such as showing when someone is typing, read receipts, high-resolution photo and video sharing, and real-time typing indicators. RCS messages are sent with the RCS protocol over Wi-Fi and mobile data, and they provide a more dynamic and secure conversation compared to traditional SMS or MMS messages. To use RCS chats, the Messages app needs to be downloaded from the Play Store, and RCS chats will be turned on when all the participants in a conversation have RCS. The status of RCS chats can be checked in the Messages app settings. RCS messaging works on all Android phones and is a step up from regular texting, offering features similar to those found in iMessage, WhatsApp, and Facebook Messenger. Despite this, Apple has not adopted the RCS standard. Google Messages is the default app on every Android phone, providing RCS to everyone with Google Messages. RCS is considered a major upgrade from SMS, offering a more seamless experience and enhanced features. Overall, RCS chats are a significant improvement over traditional messaging, providing a more interactive and secure communication experience on Android devices.