> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.poly.ai/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# RCS

> Deploy your agent over RCS to bring rich, branded messaging to Android and iOS users.

PolyAI RCS brings Rich Communication Services to your agent, adding branded sender identity, rich media, and interactive elements on supported Android and iOS devices. The same agent brain that handles voice, web chat, and SMS handles RCS, so customers get a consistent experience across every channel.

## What it is

RCS (Rich Communication Services) is the carrier-grade successor to SMS, defined by the GSMA. It runs on the same delivery network as SMS, so it keeps universal reach and the no-app-install property, but adds:

* Branded verified sender
* Images and video
* Rich UI components (customer provided)
* Read receipts and typing indicators

Where a device or network cannot receive RCS, the message arrives as SMS automatically. The business version is RCS Business Messaging, where the sender is a brand registered and verified with the carriers.

## Key features

### Branded sender identity

Verified sender profile with your brand name, logo, and colors on supported devices.

### Rich media

Images, videos, graphs, quick reply chips, and inline links inside the message thread.

### SMS fallback

Automatic fallback to SMS when a device or carrier does not support RCS, so no message is lost.

### Unified conversation flow

RCS runs on the same shared messaging architecture as SMS and web chat. Live agent handoff, CSAT, and events are inherited, and every conversation is visible in Agent Studio Conversation Review.

### Same agent brain

One configuration powers voice, web chat, SMS, and RCS. Persistent memory travels with the customer across channels and time.

## Setting up RCS

<Steps>
  <Step title="Register your RCS business profile">
    Register a branded RCS Business Messaging profile (name, logo, colors, contact info) with Twilio. PolyAI coordinates registration and verification.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Configure SMS fallback">
    Provision a fallback SMS sender so messages are delivered to devices without RCS support.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Wire outbound triggers">
    Point your CRM at the PolyAI outbound webhook to fire branded messages on events. Two-way replies route into the standard inbound flow.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Configure live agent handoff">
    Connect the CCaaS or ticketing platform your live agents work in.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Review conversations">
    Monitor traffic in Agent Studio **Conversation Review** alongside voice, web chat, and SMS.
  </Step>
</Steps>

## Use cases

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="Branded transactional messaging" icon="badge-check">
    Confirmations, alerts, and notifications delivered from a verified brand sender profile.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Order and delivery updates" icon="box">
    Rich cards with tracking imagery and one-tap actions to reroute or reschedule delivery.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Appointment reminders and confirmations" icon="calendar-check">
    Quick reply chips for confirm, reschedule, or cancel routed straight into the agent flow.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Quick reply flows and menus" icon="list">
    Guided flows with structured buttons instead of free-text prompts to accelerate resolution.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Product recommendations and links" icon="image">
    Carousels and cards that link to product pages or checkout with inline branded imagery.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Live agent handoff with context" icon="user-headset">
    Transfer the thread to a live agent with full conversation history and customer context.
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

## Related pages

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="SMS" icon="message" href="/messaging-channel/sms-and-rcs/sms">
    Two-way SMS messaging on the same agent brain as voice and chat.
  </Card>

  <Card title="SMS API" icon="code" href="/api-reference/messaging/SMS %26 RCS API/Overview/send-sms">
    Send outbound SMS messages through the PolyAI outbound webhook API.
  </Card>

  <Card title="RCS API" icon="code" href="/api-reference/messaging/SMS %26 RCS API/rcs">
    Send rich RCS messages with media, carousels, and SMS fallback.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Chat handoffs" icon="user-headset" href="/integrations/introduction">
    CCaaS handoff integrations to transfer RCS threads to live agents.
  </Card>
</CardGroup>