Short answer: yes. RCS business messages reach Android phones across India through Google Messages, and since September 2026 they have started reaching iPhones on Jio. But "available in India" and "will reach every one of your customers" are not the same thing — and the gap between the two decides how you should send RCS.
This guide explains where RCS works today, why some numbers still can't receive it, and how to reach everyone anyway.
Where RCS business messages arrive today#
Android phones#
On Android, RCS business messages arrive in Google Messages, the default messaging app on most Android phones sold in India. The customer doesn't install anything: if their phone and network support RCS and RCS chats are on, your message arrives as a rich, branded message — with your logo, a verified badge, images, carousels and buttons — in the same inbox as their OTPs and alerts.
iPhones#
Apple added RCS to iPhones with iOS 18, but whether an iPhone receives RCS depends on the mobile operator. In India, the big change came in September 2026: according to Inc42, Jio introduced RCS business messaging rates covering iPhone users on its network, effective 1 September 2026. We covered the details in RCS business messaging now reaches iPhones on Jio.
Operators#
India's operators matter because business messages travel through their networks. In March 2026, Airtel and Google announced that RCS business messages to Airtel users would pass through Airtel's network-level spam filtering, with checks on the sender, spam and Do Not Disturb preferences. TechCrunch reported that Airtel had held back deeper RCS integration until this filtering was in place. For brands, this matters because a cleaner channel is a more trusted one — Google had paused business promotions on RCS in India back in 2022 after complaints about spam.
Why some numbers still can't receive RCS#
Even where RCS is available, a particular number may not get the rich version of your message:
- The phone doesn't support RCS — older Android phones, feature phones, and iPhones on networks without RCS business messaging.
- RCS chats are switched off in the customer's Google Messages settings.
- A different default messaging app is in use on the phone.
- No data connection at the moment you send — RCS travels over mobile data or Wi-Fi, not the SMS channel.
- The message can't be delivered in time for any other reason.
None of these are under your control. That's why the right question isn't "is RCS available?" but "what happens to the customers who can't get it?"
How to reach everyone: RCS first, SMS fallback#
Send RCS as the first attempt and SMS as the automatic backup:
- Every campaign has an RCS template and a DLT-approved SMS template on a registered header.
- Customers whose phones can receive RCS get the rich message.
- If the RCS message can't be delivered to a number, the SMS goes out automatically.
- Your reports show, for every number, whether it received RCS or SMS.
With fallback on, RCS stops being a gamble on reach. Every customer gets the message; the ones who can see more, do.
How customers turn RCS on#
If a customer asks why they don't see your rich messages, RCS may simply be switched off. In Google Messages on Android:
- Open Google Messages and tap the profile picture (top right).
- Tap Messages settings, then RCS chats.
- Turn on RCS chats and wait for the status to show Connected.
How to find out your own RCS reach#
Published numbers on RCS-capable devices in India vary widely. The only figure that matters is the share of your customers who receive RCS:
- Start with one high-volume transactional message you already send — "order shipped" or "appointment confirmed" works well.
- Send it as RCS with SMS fallback for a week or two.
- Look at the split in your reports: how many numbers got RCS, how many got SMS, and how RCS read rates compare.
- Decide where RCS earns its place — usually messages where images and buttons change what customers do.
The bottom line#
RCS business messaging is live in India on Android, and growing on iPhone. Because not every phone can receive it, the winning setup is RCS first with automatic SMS fallback — and measuring your own reach rather than relying on market estimates.
To see how RCS compares with the other channels, read RCS business messaging in India, or explore RCS messaging on TextNation.
Rich, branded messages where RCS works and your DLT-approved SMS everywhere else — with reports that show who got which.
Sources#
- Inc42 — Jio introduces new RCS business messaging rates for iPhone users in India (9 September 2026)
- TechCrunch — Google looks to tackle longstanding RCS spam in India — but not alone (1 March 2026)
- MediaNama — Airtel integrates spam filter with Google RCS messaging in India (March 2026)
Frequently asked questions
Is RCS available in India?+
Does RCS work on iPhone in India?+
Why didn’t a customer receive my RCS message?+
How do I turn on RCS on Android?+
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The team that designs and runs TextNation's SMS, WhatsApp, RCS and voice platform. We write about new features, compliance changes and practical ways Indian businesses can reach customers better.
