Google Reports 1 Billion+ Daily RCS Messages In The U.S

At the Android Show ahead of Google I/O, Google provided a quick update on the adoption of RCS (Rich Communication Services) — the modern alternative to SMS that includes features like high-resolution media sharing, typing indicators, read receipts, and enhanced group chats. The company revealed that RCS now handles over a billion messages daily in the U.S.

RCS Adoption Surges as Google Highlights Over a Billion Daily Messages in the U.S

Google explained that people send over a billion RCS messages daily in the U.S., based on a 28-day rolling average. This method provides a more stable view of usage and emphasizes the steady, ongoing adoption of the technology, rather than highlighting short-term spikes.

This milestone is significant because Google spent years urging Apple to adopt RCS on iOS to improve messaging between Android and iPhone users. Previously, Android users sent low-quality videos and images to iPhones, and group chats had limits—users couldn’t rename, add or remove members, or leave. Emoji reactions also didn’t display correctly, instead triggering awkward follow-up texts describing the reaction rather than showing the emoji itself.

Therefore, this changed with the release of iOS 18 in fall 2024, when Apple finally introduced RCS support in its Messages app. However, while the messaging experience has improved, Apple continues to display RCS conversations in green bubbles, likely aiming to maintain the social distinction between iPhone and Android users.

RCS Gains Traction, But Key Data Gaps Remain on Adoption and Market Reach

This remains especially relevant among U.S. teens, where the preference for blue bubbles has helped make the iPhone the most popular device in that age group.

Interestingly, Google did not provide further RCS-related data, such as the exact number of active users or a breakdown of carrier participation. These details would offer a clearer picture of how widely RCS has been adopted across different networks and demographics.

The absence of such metrics leaves open questions about the protocol’s overall market penetration and the consistency of the experience across carriers. While the daily message volume suggests strong usage, more granular data would help gauge how far RCS has come in becoming a true SMS replacement, especially as Apple begins rolling out support.

Read the original article on: TechCrunch

Read more: Google I/O 2025: Where to Stream All the AI and Android Announcements