Quick answer. RCS stands for Rich Communication Services. It’s the name of the GSMA’s open messaging standard designed to replace SMS and MMS with a richer, interactive, internet-based experience inside the phone’s default messaging app.
“Rich” refers to the content it carries — images, video, carousels, buttons, and branding — versus the plain text of SMS. “Communication Services” reflects that it’s a carrier-grade messaging service, not a third-party chat app.
Key facts
- Defined and maintained by the GSMA (the global mobile operators’ association) under the “RCS Universal Profile.”