Quick Answer
RCS Business Messaging (RBM) is the upgrade to business SMS: messages arrive in the phone's default Messages app from a brand agent verified by Google, showing your name, logo and a verification checkmark, with images, rich cards, carousels, suggested replies and action buttons. No app download is needed. SMSGatewayHub sends RCS in India through one API on Pay As You Go pricing, with automatic SMS fallback for devices that cannot receive RCS.
What can you send with RCS Business Messaging?
Every RCS message comes from a branded agent. Google classifies each agent by use case when it is launched, and the use case decides what content the agent may send.
| RCS agent use case | What it can send | What it cannot send | Typical message formats |
|---|
| OTP | Login codes, password resets and transaction verification codes. | Any promotional content or product information. | Plain text with a copy-code suggestion |
| Transactional | Order, booking, appointment and ticket confirmations, account updates and service alerts. | Offers, cross-sell or any promotional line. | Rich card with buttons such as Track, Reschedule or Call |
| Promotional | Product launches, festival offers, catalogues and re-engagement campaigns. | OTPs, 2FA or time-sensitive transactional information. | Carousels, images, video and Shop Now actions |
| Multi-use | A mix in one conversation, for example a boarding pass followed by an upgrade offer. | OTPs or 2FA codes. | Rich cards plus suggested replies |
Promotional agents in India can start conversations only between 7 AM and 10 PM and have per-user message caps that grow with the agent's reputation; replies to customer-initiated messages are exempt. Read the full RBM policies for India and compare transactional vs promotional RCS messages.
What is new in RCS business messaging?
Four platform changes that make RCS a serious channel for Indian brands now.
Brand verification by Google
Before an agent launches, an authorised brand representative confirms the agent details. Google Messages then shows a verification checkmark next to your name, and the details page names who verified you, a direct answer to SMS phishing.
Rich cards and carousels
Send an image, title, description and up to several buttons in one card, or a swipeable row of cards for products, plans or properties. See the beginner's guide to RCS rich cards.
Suggested replies and actions
Tap-able reply chips and action buttons open a URL, dial a number, show a map location or add a calendar event, so customers act without typing.
Wider device reach
RCS works across Jio, Airtel and Vi on Android phones with Google Messages. Apple has added RCS to recent iPhone software, but business RCS delivery to an iPhone still depends on the iOS version and operator, so fallback stays essential.
Why SMSGatewayHub
Why choose SMSGatewayHub over other RCS providers?
RCS only works if every customer still gets the message. SMSGatewayHub pairs rich RCS with a DLT-compliant SMS backbone on the same account.
SMS fallback built in
If a handset cannot receive RCS, the message goes out as DLT-compliant SMS automatically, and fallback SMS is billed only when delivered. How RCS-to-SMS failover works
Agent setup and verification handled
We prepare your agent profile, logo, colours and use case, and guide your brand representative through Google's verification and launch.
Certified security
ISO 27001, ISO 9001:2015, SOC 2 and VAPT tested, which matters for banks, NBFCs and healthcare. Trust Center
Pay As You Go
No platform lock-in or setup fee. Top up credits as you need them and track RCS and fallback spend in one wallet. See pricing
Trusted for 15+ years
10,000+ registered businesses and 2,000+ enterprise clients, 99.9% uptime SLA and a toll-free sales line, 1800 102 1822.
| Question to ask any RCS provider | SMSGatewayHub |
|---|
| What happens on phones that cannot receive RCS? | Automatic fallback to DLT-compliant SMS from the same account. |
| Who handles Google brand verification and agent launch? | Our team prepares the agent and guides your brand representative through verification. |
| Do I need a separate integration for RCS? | No. One API covers RCS, SMS, WhatsApp and OTP. Communications API |
| Do I get delivery and read reports? | Yes, delivery and read status plus button clicks, with fallback SMS shown in live delivery reports. |
| Which security certifications do you hold? | ISO 27001, ISO 9001:2015, SOC 2 and VAPT tested. |
| Can I test before I buy? | Yes, start with 1,000 free credits. Create a free account |
Evaluating providers? Read what to look for in an RCS provider in India or see our MSG91 alternative page.
RCS messaging use cases by industry
Each card links to the matching industry page with message samples and compliance tips.
Banks, NBFCs & insurance
Verified transaction alerts, EMI reminders with a Pay Now button and policy renewal cards that cut phishing risk. Messaging for banks & NBFCs
E-commerce & D2C
Product carousels with Buy buttons, cart reminders, order confirmations and delivery updates. Messaging for e-commerce
Hospitals & clinics
Appointment confirmations with Confirm and Reschedule replies to reduce no-shows, plus report-ready alerts. Messaging for hospitals
Schools & EdTech
Admission brochures as rich cards, fee reminders with payment links and exam schedules. Messaging for education
Logistics & courier
Tracking cards with a map link, delivery slot and a Reschedule button inside the Messages app. Messaging for logistics
Retail & festive campaigns
Festival offers with hero images and Shop Now buttons, plus post-purchase surveys with tap-to-rate replies. Retail use cases
RCS message formats and examples
Pick the format that fits the job. Every rich message can fall back to a plain DLT-registered SMS.
| Format | Example (what the customer sees) | Buttons / suggestions | SMS fallback text |
|---|
| Text + suggested replies | Your appointment with Dr. Mehta is on 14 Oct, 11:00 AM. Will you attend? | Confirm · Reschedule · Call clinic | Your appointment with Dr. Mehta is confirmed for 14 Oct, 11:00 AM. - City Clinic |
| Rich card | Image of the parcel + "Order ORD58213 is out for delivery today" | Track order · Change slot | Your order ORD58213 is out for delivery today. Track: https://abc.in/t/58213 - ABC Store |
| Carousel | Five swipeable product cards, each with image, name and price | View · Buy now (per card) | New arrivals are live at ABC Store. Shop now: https://abc.in/new - ABC Store |
| OTP | 482913 is your OTP to log in to ABC App. Do not share it with anyone. | Copy code | 482913 is your OTP to log in to ABC App. Valid for 10 minutes. Do not share it with anyone. - ABC |
| Media + action | Short video of a new property listing | Book site visit · Call agent · Open map | New 2 BHK homes near you. Book a site visit: https://abc.in/v - ABC Realty |
Fallback SMS is ordinary business SMS in India, so it needs a DLT-registered header and template. See our DLT sample templates and the template registration process.
How to start sending RCS messages
Create your account
Register free and get 1,000 test credits to try RCS and SMS side by side.
Build your RCS agent
Share your brand name, logo, banner, colours, description and support contacts, and choose the agent use case: OTP, transactional, promotional or multi-use.
Verify and launch
Your authorised brand representative confirms the details for Google brand verification; we then submit the agent for launch.
Set up SMS fallback
Complete DLT registration, a sender ID and fallback templates so every customer is reached.
Send and measure
Send through the panel or the RCS API, then track delivery, reads and clicks in one report.
RCS messaging resource map
Everything related to RCS on SMSGatewayHub, grouped by what you need to do next.
RCS vs SMS vs WhatsApp: which do you need?
Choose RCS when you want app-like, branded messages without asking customers to install or open another app: it lands in the default Messages app, shows your verified name and logo, and does not depend on a 24-hour customer service window. Choose bulk SMS when you need guaranteed reach on every phone, including feature phones, and WhatsApp when customers already talk to you there and you want ongoing two-way conversations.
Most Indian brands now combine them: RCS first, SMS as fallback and WhatsApp for support, all from one SMSGatewayHub account. For a deeper comparison, read RCS vs SMS and how RCS is transforming enterprise branding in India.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is RCS Business Messaging in India?
RCS Business Messaging (RBM) lets a brand send rich, interactive messages into the customer's default Messages app from a verified agent showing its name and logo. Messages can include images, rich cards, carousels, suggested replies and action buttons, and no separate app download is needed. SMSGatewayHub provides RCS in India with automatic SMS fallback.
What is the difference between RCS and SMS?
SMS is plain text from a 6-character header with no images or buttons. RCS shows your verified brand name, logo and checkmark and supports rich cards, carousels, media, suggested replies and read receipts. SMSGatewayHub sends both from one account, using SMS as the fallback when RCS cannot be delivered.
Does RCS work on iPhones in India?
Apple has added RCS support in recent iPhone software, but whether a business RCS message reaches a particular iPhone depends on the iOS version, the operator and the region. RCS works on Android phones with Google Messages across Jio, Airtel and Vi. SMSGatewayHub's automatic SMS fallback covers any device that cannot receive RCS.
Is DLT registration needed for RCS messaging?
RCS agents are verified and approved through Google's brand verification and launch process. Any SMS you send as fallback is ordinary business SMS in India, so it needs DLT registration, a registered header and approved templates. SMSGatewayHub helps you set up both.
Can I send promotional RCS messages at any time?
No. In India, promotional RCS agents can start conversations only between 7 AM and 10 PM, and the number of messages per user is capped based on the agent's reputation. Replies to messages the customer started are exempt from these limits.
How much does RCS messaging cost with SMSGatewayHub?
SMSGatewayHub uses Pay As You Go pricing for RCS: you buy credits as needed with no setup fee, and fallback SMS is billed only when delivered. Exact rates depend on volume and message type; see https://www.smsgatewayhub.com/pricing or call sales on 1800 102 1822.
Can I switch from SMS to RCS without changing my API?
Yes. SMSGatewayHub's unified API sends SMS, RCS, WhatsApp and OTP through one integration, so you can add RCS by changing the channel in your request. Fallback to SMS is configured on the same account.
Launch verified RCS messaging today
Get 1,000 free credits, help with Google brand verification and automatic SMS fallback on one Pay As You Go account.