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RCS messaging FAQs
Straight answers to the questions Indian businesses ask most about RCS — devices, carriers, pricing, compliance and getting started.
General
What is RCS messaging?
RCS (Rich Communication Services) is a messaging standard that upgrades plain SMS with branded sender profiles, images, videos, carousels, buttons and two-way replies — delivered through the recipient's default messaging app rather than a separate download. See our full introduction to RCS.
What is RCS Business Messaging (RBM)?
RCS Business Messaging lets a verified business send and receive RCS messages through an approved sender profile — showing a brand name, logo and verified badge instead of an anonymous number.
How is RCS different from SMS?
SMS is plain text with no branding and a 160-character limit. RCS adds verified branding, images, carousels, buttons and richer two-way conversation, while using the same default messaging app and falling back to SMS when RCS isn't available. See the full RCS vs SMS comparison.
Devices & carriers
Is RCS available in India?
Yes. RCS is available in India through carrier support from operators including Jio, on devices and messaging apps that support the standard. Coverage depends on the specific device, carrier and recipient, so it should be confirmed for your target audience rather than assumed universal.
Does RCS work on iPhone in India?
RCS support for iPhone in India is recent and depends on a compatible iOS version and a supporting carrier — Jio was the first to enable it. It is not yet available across every carrier and device combination, so reach should be verified rather than assumed for every iPhone user.
Does RCS work on Jio, Airtel and Vi?
RCS support varies by operator and is rolling out across major Indian carriers. Exact coverage for a given number depends on the operator, device and messaging app, and can be confirmed through a capability check before sending. See how RCS works in India for the full process.
Does RCS need an internet connection?
Yes. RCS generally requires Wi-Fi or mobile data to send and receive rich messages, unlike traditional SMS which works over the standard telecom signal. Where RCS isn't available, messages can fall back to SMS, where configured.
Pricing
What does RCS messaging cost in India?
Per-message pricing varies across providers based on message type, volume, operator and use case. Our own rates start from ₹0.14 per message (+GST) for Basic RCS, with Rich Card and Carousel priced slightly higher — see our pricing page for current rates and what affects them.
Is RCS more expensive than SMS?
Per message, RCS is typically priced somewhat higher than plain SMS, reflecting the richer media, branding and interactivity. Many businesses evaluate this on cost-per-result rather than cost-per-message alone.
Compliance & security
Is RCS messaging DLT-compliant?
RCS itself does not use DLT — DLT (TRAI) template registration is a requirement specific to SMS. RCS messages use a different compliance mechanism: verified sender onboarding plus consent and opt-out rules. Where a message falls back to SMS, that SMS leg follows DLT requirements. See how RCS works in India for the full breakdown.
Is RCS secure?
RCS is delivered through secure, standards-based messaging infrastructure, and verified sender onboarding helps reduce impersonation risk. Security characteristics can vary by device, network and implementation, so we don't make blanket guarantees — and customers should never be asked to reply with an OTP, PIN or password. See OTP & transactional messaging.
Getting started
How do I get my business verified to send RCS?
You submit business details, brand assets and legal pages, and the platform handles agent registration and submission for approval. We manage this process as part of onboarding — see verified sender onboarding for the full walkthrough. Approval timelines vary and can't be guaranteed in advance.
Can I use RCS for OTP and transactional messages?
Yes. RCS can deliver OTPs, order confirmations, payment receipts and account alerts from a verified sender, with SMS fallback where configured. Customers should never be asked to reply with an OTP through the message.
How do I get started with RCS messaging?
Book a demo to see RCS live, get pricing for your volume, and start verified sender onboarding — our team handles agent setup and approval submission for you.
Still have a question?
Book a demo and ask our team directly, or message us on WhatsApp.