How to Set Up and Manage RCS Messaging for Mobile Devices

Setting up RCS messaging on your mobile device is easier than you think. To start, you'll need a supported device, such as a Samsung Galaxy or Google Pixel, and a carrier that offers RCS messaging.

RCS messaging requires a data connection to work, so make sure you have a stable internet connection. This is because RCS messaging uses the internet to send and receive messages, rather than traditional SMS.

To set up RCS messaging, you'll need to enable it in your device's settings. This is usually found under the "Messaging" or "Messages" app settings. Look for the option to "Enable RCS" or "Enable Chat Features."

To set up RCS messaging, you'll need to ensure you have access to your Bloomreach Engagement project, including scenarios and integrations.

Having a dedicated RCS phone number is also crucial, as it cannot be linked to another RCS account. If you need help with this, reach out to your Customer Success Manager (CSM).

You'll also need to have an account with either Infobip or Sinch, which can be set up with the help of your CSM.

To get started with Bloomreach Engagement, you'll need to ensure you have access to your project, including scenarios and integrations.

Make sure you have a dedicated RCS phone number that meets provider requirements, and note that this number cannot be linked to another RCS account.

Having a provider account is also essential, so contact your Customer Success Manager (CSM) to help create an Infobip or Sinch account if needed.

You'll also need to verify that your customer attribute phone meets specific requirements.

Here are the customer profile requirements to keep in mind:

Before we dive into the prerequisites for RCS, let's first understand what RCS is. RCS, or Rich Communication Services, aimed at replacing SMS/text messages with a richer text message system with multimedia capabilities.

RCS is a communication protocol between mobile telephone carriers and between phone and carrier. It provides a richer, more interactive experience that includes features such as read receipts, typing indicators, media sharing, and location sharing.

The development of RCS began in 2007 as part of an initiative by the GSM Association (GSMA), a trade body that represents the interests of mobile network operators worldwide.

To set up RCS messaging, you'll need to start by setting up your test device. This involves checking if your device is RCS-enabled, and if not, enabling RCS by configuring your device with pre-release versions of the Messages and Carrier Services apps.

Not all Android devices can receive RCS messages by default, so this step is crucial. I've had friends with older devices struggle with this, so it's good to know what to look out for.

To invite your test device, click on "Devices" in the left navigation, enter your device's phone number, and click "Add." On your test device, accept the tester request for your agent. If you don't receive an invitation, verify that RCS is enabled on your device.

To use RCS, you must set up the Infobip or Sinch mobile messaging provider integration on the Engagement project level. For full integration setup, follow the relevant setup guides: Infobip Mobile MessagingSinch Mobile Messaging

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To set up a test device, you'll need to make sure it's RCS-enabled. Not all Android devices can receive RCS messages by default, so you may need to enable it by configuring your device with pre-release versions of the Messages and Carrier Services apps.

You can check the RCS status of your device by following the instructions. If your device is not RCS-enabled, you'll need to enable it before proceeding.

Once your device is RCS-enabled, you're ready to move on to the next step.

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When setting up a fallback approach, you have two main options to consider: automatic fallback and custom fallback.

Automatic fallback is a convenient option that lets the system handle everything automatically. Both Sinch and Infobip create fallback messages based on your RCS content, so you don't have to lift a finger.

You won't have control over the converted message, but it's a reliable way to ensure your message gets through.

Custom fallback, on the other hand, gives you full control over the content. With Infobip, you can write your own SMS fallback message, which is perfect for important messages where you want specific wording.

This approach works best when you need to convey a specific message or tone that can't be replicated with an automatically generated fallback message.

Here's a comparison of the two options:

To create an RCS messaging agent, you need to follow these steps.

First, go to the Business Communications Developer Console and sign in with your RBM partner Google Account.

You'll then see the homepage, where you need to click on the + Create agent button.

In the New RCS Business Messaging agent window, you'll be asked to specify some information, including the details you want to create your agent with.

Click Create agent to complete the process.

Message Configuration is a crucial step in setting up RCS messaging. You'll want to get in touch with Message Central, a pioneer in this technology, to get started.

Message Central offers 24/7 customer support, assistance with setup regulations, and a dedicated account manager. To set up RCS with Message Central, you'll need to get in touch with their team.

To send RCS messages, follow these steps: Go to Campaigns > Scenarios, click New Scenario to create a new scenario, and under the Design tab, select the RCS node. You can then double-click the RCS node, choose the message type, and customize the message.

RCS supports five interactive message types: Text, Media, Choice, Card, and Carousel. The Text type has a character limit, while the Media type can include images, video, audio, and documents up to 100 MB in size.

Two-way mobile messaging allows customers to send inbound messages, which will be processed and tracked as campaign events in real time. You can also configure keyword auto-responses to provide customers with a user-friendly way to unsubscribe, subscribe, or ask for help.

Here's a quick rundown of the RCS message types:

RCS messaging offers a range of interactive message types to help you communicate with your audience.

RCS supports 5 interactive message types, each with its own specifications and limitations. Here's a brief overview of each type:

These message types allow you to tailor your RCS messaging to suit your needs, from simple text messages to more complex interactive experiences.

RCS supports five interactive message types, each with its own specifications and limitations.

Text messages have a character limit, but it's not specified in the documentation. Media messages can include images, video, audio, and documents, with a file size limit of 100 MB.

Choice messages can have up to 10 quick-reply buttons, making them ideal for surveys or polls.

Card messages are interactive rich cards with titles, media, and quick-reply options. Carousel messages are horizontally scrolling rich cards, with a limit of 2-10 cards.

Here's a summary of the message types:

Before sending a message to your audience, use the Test message feature to see how it looks on a recipient's device. This feature allows you to send a test message to a specific phone number.

Click the Test message button to send the message to your test phone number. You can then check the test device to ensure you received the message. Verify that all media and interactive elements work as expected.

To ensure your message meets your standards, retest it until you're satisfied with the results. If you find any problems during testing, update the content in the app accordingly.

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Two-way messaging is a powerful feature that lets customers send messages to you, which are then processed and tracked in real-time. This feature is particularly useful for customer engagement.

To set up two-way messaging, you'll need to refer to the documentation on two-way messaging requirements and configure two-way messaging and keyword auto-responses.

Two-way messaging also enables you to configure keyword auto-responses, which provide customers with a user-friendly way to unsubscribe, subscribe, or ask for help.

To invite your test device, you'll need to follow these simple steps. First, click on Devices in the left navigation.

You'll then see an option to Add test devices, where you can enter your device's phone number and click Add. Make sure to verify that RCS is enabled on your device, as this is a requirement for testing.

On your test device, you'll receive an invitation to test your agent, which you'll need to accept. If you don't receive an invitation, double-check that RCS is enabled on your device.

Here's a step-by-step guide to inviting your test device:

Two-way messaging is a game-changer for customer engagement. It allows customers to send messages to you, which you can then process and track in real-time.

Two-way messaging requires some setup, but don't worry, it's easy to do. You can find more information on the requirements in the documentation.

One of the coolest features of two-way messaging is keyword auto-responses. These auto-responses give customers a user-friendly way to unsubscribe, subscribe, or ask for help. You can configure these auto-responses to make it easy for customers to get the help they need.

To configure two-way messaging and keyword auto-responses, refer to the documentation. It's a straightforward process that will help you improve customer engagement.

To turn on two-way messaging, you'll need to follow some steps. First, open the Google Messages app and tap your profile icon in the upper-right corner. Then, select Messages settings and tap RCS chats. Finally, turn on RCS chats using the toggle switch.

To turn on RCS chats in Google Messages, you need to access the Messages settings. Tap your profile icon in the upper-right corner of the Google Messages app.

The process is straightforward. You'll find the Messages settings by going into the Messages app, tapping your profile icon, and then selecting Messages settings.

To enable or disable RCS messaging, you can toggle the Turn on RCS chats switch. This setting is located within the Messages settings, accessible by tapping your profile icon in the top-right corner of the Google Messages app.

Here's a step-by-step guide to enable RCS messaging:

You can control messaging by enabling or disabling two-way messaging, which allows inbound messages from customers to be processed and tracked in real time. This feature also enables keyword auto-responses, making it easy for customers to unsubscribe, subscribe, or ask for help.

To enable two-way messaging, refer to the documentation on two-way messaging requirements and configuring two-way messaging and keyword auto-responses.

Two-way messaging requires careful configuration, so be sure to check the documentation for specific instructions.

To enable RCS messaging on a Samsung phone, follow these steps:

You can check your RCS chat status at any time to see if you're ready to use RCS. Your status will be one of three: Connected, Setting up, or Disconnected.

Connected means you're good to go and can start using RCS. Setting up indicates that your phone number is still being verified. Disconnected means you need to check your data or Wi-Fi connection to get RCS working again.

Here are the possible RCS chat statuses in a quick reference list:

Understanding is key to grasping the concept of status. In the context of social hierarchies, status refers to an individual's position or rank within a group.

Research has shown that people with higher status tend to have more power and influence over others. For example, a study found that in workplaces, employees with higher status are more likely to be listened to and have their opinions valued.

Status can also affect how we perceive and interact with others. In a study on social dynamics, it was observed that people tend to form close relationships with those who have similar status to their own.

People with higher status often have more resources and opportunities available to them. In a study on social mobility, it was found that individuals from higher-status families tend to have better access to education and job opportunities.

Status can also influence our self-perception and self-esteem. A study on self-image found that people with higher status tend to have a more positive self-image and feel more confident in their abilities.

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You can check your RCS chat status to see if it's working properly.

There are three possible statuses you might see: Connected, Setting up, or Disconnected.

If you're Connected, it means you're ready to use RCS.

If you're Setting up, your phone number is still being verified.

If you're Disconnected, it's likely because your data or Wi-Fi connection is not working properly.

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To send messages with your RCS agent, you'll need a service account key to securely authenticate API calls. If you haven't already created a service account key for your partner account, now is the time to do it.

You'll need to run a command in your terminal, replacing certain variables with your own information. This includes replacing REGION with asia, europe, or us, depending on your agent's region, and PHONE_NUMBER with the phone number of your test device, including the country code and a leading +.

To send different types of messages, such as suggested replies and rich cards, follow the instructions in the Send messages section.

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You should receive a "Hello, world!" message from your agent on your test device. If you don't receive a message on your test device, verify that you correctly entered and formatted the phone number and path to your service account key in the command.

To create and send RCS messages, go to Campaigns > Scenarios, click New Scenario to create a new scenario, and then select the RCS node under the Design tab.

The customer's phone attribute will be used as the phone number to which the message will be sent. To customize the message, double-click the RCS node and choose the message type. You can also select a different provider in the Sender dropdown if you don't want to use the default one.

To test RCS messages before sending, click the Test message button to send the message to your test phone number. Check the test device to ensure you received the message and verify that all media and interactive elements work.

You can determine how your message is being sent by looking for an arrow icon next to it. A regular arrow or arrow with a lock indicates that the message is being sent via Wi-Fi or data using RCS, while an arrow with SMS means it's being sent as a standard text, and an arrow with MMS means it's being sent as a multimedia message.

Message Central is a great resource for setting up RCS messaging. They offer 24/7 customer support to help you every step of the way.

With Message Central, you'll get assistance with setup regulations, which is crucial for a smooth rollout.

You'll also have a dedicated account manager to guide you through the process. This person will be your single point of contact for any questions or concerns.

Here are some of the benefits you can expect from working with Message Central:

To set up RCS messaging, you'll need to integrate with a mobile messaging provider. You can choose from Infobip or Sinch mobile messaging.

Infobip and Sinch mobile messaging are the two options for provider integration. For full integration setup, follow the relevant setup guides for each provider.

To get started, set up the Infobip or Sinch mobile messaging provider integration on the Engagement project level. If you have multiple integrations, you can also set a default provider to make things easier. To do this, go to Project Settings > Channels > SMS / MMS / RCS and select the default provider.

Here's a quick rundown of the providers you can integrate with:

To set a default provider, head to Project Settings > Channels > SMS / MMS / RCS.

You can only set a default provider if you have multiple integrations set up.

This default provider will be preselected in any new RCS nodes you create.

You'll need to have admin rights to make this change, so make sure your user role allows for it.

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To enable Google Messages chats, start by opening the Google Messages app and tapping your profile icon in the upper-right corner. From there, select Messages settings and tap RCS chats.

You'll then see a toggle switch to turn on RCS chats. Flip the switch to enable RCS chats and verify your phone number. Once verified, your status should read “Connected.”

If you're having trouble getting RCS chats up and running, check your device's RCS status by following the steps outlined in the article. If your device is not receiving RCS messages by default, you may need to enable RCS by configuring your device with pre-release versions of the Messages and Carrier Services apps.

To quickly check if your device is RCS-enabled, look for the following status: “Connected.” If you see this status, you're good to go!

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To set up provider integration for RCS, you'll need to choose a mobile messaging provider. You can select from Infobip Mobile Messaging or Sinch Mobile Messaging. For full integration setup, follow the relevant setup guides for each provider.

Infobip and Sinch have specific setup guides that you should follow to ensure a smooth integration process. These guides will walk you through the necessary steps to get your provider integration up and running.

If you have multiple integrations, you can set a default provider by going to Project Settings > Channels > SMS / MMS / RCS. This default provider will be preselected in any new RCS nodes you create.

Your user role must have admin rights to set a default RCS provider integration.

Here's a list of providers you can integrate with RCS:

Now that you've got the basics down, let's move on to the next steps.

If RCS is active on your device, you're ready to set up your agent. Just enable RCS on your device before you can test your RBM agent.

Once your agent is available, you can add business and branding information. See Create your agent for more details.