SMS and MMS seem positively archaic by the standards set by today’s popular data-based messaging platforms. We’re spoilt for choice with advanced messaging features from the likes of WhatsApp, Telegram, Signal, and others. But you don’t have to sign up for a third-party messaging service to access features like read receipts and location sharing.
RCS, short for Rich Communication Services, messaging is the evolution of traditional SMS and MMS. The standard embraces a range of modern features we’ve come to rely on from other messaging applications, rolling them into a protocol that can be used on any smartphone that wants to support it.