Sealing a comeback: enabling Apple and Android RCS

This insight is open to all subscribers and registered users, or available by completing the form.
Apple’s announcement in September 2024 that it will incorporate support for Rich Communication Services (RCS) in the iPhone and wider device portfolio was a significant move for the messaging ecosystem. Up until then, RCS had primarily been a Google-led initiative (following Google’s acquisition of Jibe Mobile in 2015) for the Android device base. This is, of course, larger in scale than the iPhone universe. However, in practice, the number of people actually using RCS was much lower than the Android base because only other Android users could be messaged and, even then, the service required people to activate it. Apple’s entry opens a new messaging gateway between different OS worlds, making RCS a more scaled alternative to WhatsApp. This report looks at the device provisioning through an entitlement server required for telcos to enable RCS for Apple and Android that will come into effect in 2025, in particular for securely enabling the message flow between the two OS platforms.
Report details
Sealing a comeback: enabling Apple and Android RCS
Download the report
Complete the form to get instant access to this content. For easier access in the future, you can register for a free account here.
By submitting this form, you agree that your email address and related activity on the platform will be processed for the purpose of generating and providing the requested report. Your data will be shared with GSMA Intelligence for this purpose. For more information, please see the GSMA Intelligence Privacy Policy.
Report details
Sealing a comeback: enabling Apple and Android RCS
Download the report
Complete the form to get instant access to this content. For easier access in the future, you can register for a free account here.
By submitting this form, you agree that your email address and related activity on the platform will be processed for the purpose of generating and providing the requested report. Your data will be shared with GSMA Intelligence for this purpose. For more information, please see the GSMA Intelligence Privacy Policy.
Related research
The SpaceX IPO: a reality check
The SpaceX IPO prospectus frames a total addressable market (TAM) of $28.5 trillion across AI, connectivity and space-enabled infrastructure. The mobile TAM is listed at $740 billion. Starlink is positioning direct-to-device (D2D) as a global connectivity layer spanning consumer mobility, verticals and eventually coverage in urban areas. This raises broader questions for the telecoms industry around spectrum ownership, infrastructure economics, neutral-host models and regulatory oversight. This Insight Spotlight assesses these questions and grounds the TAM for mobile in reality.
Global Mobile Forecasts, Q1 2026 Review: capturing the changes, discussing the drivers
GSMA Intelligence constantly monitors mobile markets across the world to capture the most recent trends and share the latest available data. This analysis looks at the key revisions made to the mobile connection forecasts over the previous quarter and the drivers underpinning the changes.
Industry Checkpoint: MVNOs, Q2 2026
As the telecoms industry and wider digital ecosystem evolve at an unprecedented rate, regularly assessing major developments and their implications is more important than ever. This edition of the Industry Checkpoint series focuses on the MVNO segment, highlighting how it has changed in the last six months and the implications.
Authors
How to access this report
Annual subscription: Subscribe to our research modules for comprehensive access to more than 200 reports per year.
Enquire about subscriptionContact our research team
Get in touch with us to find out more about our research topics and analysis.
Contact our research teamMedia
To cite our research, please see our citation policy in our Terms of Use, or contact our Media team for more information.
Learn more- 200 reports a year
- 50 million data points
- Over 350 metrics
How can we support you?
Get in touch
Contact the GSMA Intelligence support team for help with your account, subscriptions, or access to reports and insights.
Newsletter
Subscribe to the GSMA Intelligence newsletter for the latest industry news and insights, delivered to your inbox.
