started · updated
RCS hits 145 million Brazilian devices, Apple adds iOS 18 support
Rich Communication Services (RCS) is now available on more than 145 million mobile devices in Brazil, a jump of over 10 million enabled devices since early 2026. The growth follows two key developments: expanding carrier support for the protocol and Apple’s decision to support RCS starting with iOS 18, which broadens its reach to iPhone users.
Brazilian operators Vivo and TIM have completed the necessary integration to deliver RCS on iPhones, while Claro is testing the feature for a later rollout. CEOs Tiago Oliveira of Ótima Digital and Teles Alexandre of Eyou highlighted that RCS combines the reliability of SMS with rich visual and interactive elements—photos, videos, product carousels, buttons and location—without requiring a separate app. They note that the cost per message is comparable to SMS and WhatsApp, but unlike WhatsApp Business, mobile operators receive a per‑message fee for RCS traffic, creating a new revenue stream for carriers.
Entities
Apple · Apple Inc. · Google · Google (RBM platform) · Rich Communication Services (RCS) · TIM · Teles Alexandre · Tiago Oliveira · Vivo
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Prices of SMS, WhatsApp and RCS messages are similar. telesintese.com.br
- [● 5 SOURCES] Apple supports the RCS protocol starting with iOS 18. valor.globo.com · leianoticias.com.br · oglobo.globo.com · telesintese.com.br · correiodeminas.com.br
- [● 5 SOURCES] RCS is available on more than 145 million mobile devices in Brazil. telesintese.com.br · valor.globo.com · correiodeminas.com.br · leianoticias.com.br · oglobo.globo.com
- [● 5 SOURCES] Mobile operators receive a per‑message fee for RCS traffic, unlike WhatsApp Business where they do not. telesintese.com.br · correiodeminas.com.br · valor.globo.com · leianoticias.com.br · oglobo.globo.com
- [● 5 SOURCES] RCS allows sending photos, videos, product carousels, interactive buttons, and location within messages. valor.globo.com · leianoticias.com.br · oglobo.globo.com · correiodeminas.com.br · telesintese.com.br
- [● 3 SOURCES] RCS combines SMS reliability with rich visual interactivity in native messaging apps without requiring extra applications. valor.globo.com · leianoticias.com.br · oglobo.globo.com
- [● 5 SOURCES] Companies can combine RCS with SMS, WhatsApp and email in communication campaigns. telesintese.com.br · valor.globo.com · correiodeminas.com.br · leianoticias.com.br · oglobo.globo.com
- [● 5 SOURCES] RCS provides delivery and read confirmations and verified business identification. valor.globo.com · leianoticias.com.br · oglobo.globo.com · correiodeminas.com.br · telesintese.com.br
- [● 5 SOURCES] The number of devices enabled for RCS in Brazil increased by over 10 million since the start of 2026. correiodeminas.com.br · telesintese.com.br · valor.globo.com · leianoticias.com.br · oglobo.globo.com
- [● 5 SOURCES] Operators Vivo and TIM have completed integration to support RCS on iPhones. telesintese.com.br · valor.globo.com · correiodeminas.com.br · leianoticias.com.br · oglobo.globo.com
- [● 3 SOURCES] Apple began supporting RCS starting with iOS 18. valor.globo.com · leianoticias.com.br · oglobo.globo.com