RCS 4.0: Messaging protocol brings native video calls and formatted text
RCS is getting better – soon.
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The industry association GSMA has finalized the RCS Universal Profile 4.0. The new version promises native video calls, rich text formatting, and more.
The industry association GSMA has finalized the specification of the next Rich Communication Services (RCS) Universal Profile. The RCS Universal Profile 4.0, is described by the association as the "most comprehensive update" to date and brings several new features for users, which will "put video and more expressive text at the center of their conversations with friends or family, as well as their interactions with businesses." With the update, the messaging protocol comes a little closer to WhatsApp & Co. in terms of functionality.
According to the GSMA announcement [1], the new RCS version brings several innovations, including native video calls in chats, more extensive text formatting options, and improved media sharing.
Video calls
In terms of video calls, it will be possible in the future to conduct so-called "Messaging-Initiated Video Calls" (MIVC). This means that users of RCS individual or group chats can initiate a video call with the other party directly within the RCS-compatible app. Currently, RCS users have to switch to another app like WhatsApp, Google Meet, or FaceTime for video calls. It further states that RCS will also offer support for "late joining" in the future. This means that group members can also join an ongoing call later.
RCS 4.0 also introduces support for rich text formatting, allowing for bold or italic text in messages, for example. Universal Profile 4.0 is also intended to ensure backward compatibility through clearly defined fallback solutions. Among other things, messages should be readable unformatted if an RCS message has to fall back to SMS.
Higher media quality
In addition, the GSMA speaks of improved transmission quality for photos, videos, and audio files. With RCS 4.0, devices will select the best format supported by both parties to avoid potential compression problems. Further innovations are intended particularly for business use: For example, RCS 4.0 is intended to support streaming videos in message cards so that users do not have to wait for the download; RCS should also provide better control over how links are opened.
This solution is intended to ensure that users remain in the messaging app for simple tasks such as viewing a menu, while they can be redirected to a special app for more complex tasks such as payments.
Still takes time
It will likely be quite some time before the new features of RCS Universal Profile 4.0 are available in messaging apps like Google's or Apple's messaging apps. So far, not even Universal Profile 3.0 [2] is fully available. Universal Profile 3.0 was finalized in March 2025 and includes support for native end-to-end encryption (E2EE), among other things. This feature is still in the testing phase [3] at Apple and Google, and Apple states that RCS with E2EE will appear "in a later software update."
Moreover, not only the developers of the respective apps and operating systems are involved in the implementation, but also the network operators. Therefore, RCS 4.0 is unlikely to be available before 2027.
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This article was originally published in German [9]. It was translated with technical assistance and editorially reviewed before publication.
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[1] https://www.gsma.com/newsroom/article/from-rich-text-to-video-rcs-universal-profile-4-0-has-arrived/
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[3] https://www.heise.de/news/RCS-in-Nachrichten-App-Apple-beginnt-mit-Tests-fuer-Verschluesselung-11179634.html?from-en=1
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