Google’s RCS in Messages update: Introducing Photomoji, profiles, and custom colors

November has been a monumental month for RCS, the mobile messaging protocol championed by Google. The company has announced a significant milestone and introduced festive new features. According to Google, over 1 billion monthly active users are now using RCS in Google Messages. This is a remarkable feat, considering support for RCS was limited just a few years ago. Not entirely surprising, though, since it has been the default messaging service on Android phones for several years.

As for the new messaging features, some might sound familiar to iOS users. One new feature integrates with your Google account to create a Contact Poster-like profile with your name and photo. Additionally, there’s a feature called Photomoji, allowing you to use photos of people to react to messages as you would with an emoji. Google’s version is akin to a feature in iOS 17, although on iOS, you have to turn photo cutouts into stickers to use them in iMessage conversations. Based on a small study, it seems this feature isn’t catching on quickly.

Google Messages will also allow you to attach an emoji when sending a voice message, referred to as a “mood” by Google. Emojis shared in group chats or used as reactions will sometimes include an animation. And as a nod to the green bubble / blue bubble situation, Google Messages will let users change the color of chat bubbles in each conversation.

A conversation with Android messaging VP and GM Sanaz Ahari revealed insights into the new features and RCS’s overall progress, including the implications for Apple. There’s ample reason for excitement about RCS on the iPhone, as group chats are a significant pain point when it comes to Android and iOS interactions. Apple’s commitment to supporting the RCS universal profile 2.0 promises improved image and video sharing across platforms, although the lack of end-to-end encryption is a concern. Despite this, Google is actively working with the GSMA and Apple to evolve the spec, incorporating end-to-end encryption and additional features not currently in the RCS spec. Threaded replies, read receipts, and reactions are among the features unlikely to be supported for iPhone users under the current standard.

It may be some time before these features become a reality on all platforms. In the meantime, Google’s new messaging features will be gradually released to RCS users on Android phones. Additionally, today’s feature drop includes smart home integrations with Wear OS, allowing users to manage their Google Home and smart home devices directly from their watch. The rollout begins today, with the new messaging features debuting first in open beta.