iPhone and Android phones both show RCS messages, but each draws them its own way. The same message can look different depending on who opens it. This article shows what changes between the two and how to design one message that works well on both.
For image sizes and file types, see RCS Image and Video Specs.
How RCS looks on iPhone and Android
| iPhone | Android | |
|---|---|---|
| Action buttons | One button shows normally. Two or more collapse into an Options menu that takes an extra tap. Buttons are grey. | Every button shows on the message, in full color. |
| Suggested replies | A list below the message or card that stays on screen. On cards, replies sit outside the card. | Chips on the message or card that disappear after the subscriber responds. |
| Card text | Cuts off after about 3 lines. Tapping opens the full text, but the image and buttons disappear in that view. | Shows more text. The expanded view keeps the image and buttons. |
| Missing card title | The chat list shows "One Message" instead of a preview. | Shows the description as the preview. |
| Media Height | Ignored. | Used as set. If the image doesn't fit the height, Android trims it from the center. |
| Large text settings | When a subscriber uses a large text size, the image can get cropped or pushed almost out of view. | The image stays visible. |
| GIFs | Still image (first frame). | Animated. |
| Carousels | Cards stack and show one at a time with a "1 of N" counter. Each card's replies show below it and change as the subscriber flips. | Cards sit side by side in a row the subscriber swipes. Replies show on each card. |
| Your brand page | Banner and privacy policy don't show. Only the first contact detail of each type shows. | Banner, privacy policy, and all contact details show. |
Suggested replies on iPhone (left) show as a separate list. On Android (right) they show on the card.
Design one message for both
Most of the time you won't know which phone a subscriber uses, so design for both. Here's what works best for each message type.
Basic
- Use one action button. Two or more turn into the Options menu on iPhone.
- Put your most important button first.
- Keep suggested replies to 3 to 5 options.
Enhanced
- An Enhanced message always has a Calendar or Location button, and that counts as your one action. Adding a link button as well turns them into the Options menu on iPhone.
- If you need both a calendar invite and a link, put the link in the message text and keep the Calendar button as your only action.
- Keep suggested replies to 3 to 5 options.
Rich Card
- Always add a Title.
- Keep the title and description to about 3 lines, with the key message at the top.
- Add links with an Open URL action button. Mobile Commons doesn't allow links in a card's title or description.
- Use one action button per card, and no more than 3 suggested replies. More buttons leave less room for the image on iPhone.
- Write reply text that makes sense on its own. On iPhone, replies show below the card, not on it.
- Don't put critical information in the expanded text view. On iPhone, the image and buttons disappear there.
- Set up the image as described in RCS Image and Video Specs.
Carousel
- Make each card make sense on its own. iPhone shows one card at a time, not side by side.
- Put your most important card first.
- Keep each card's text to about 3 lines. Add links with an Open URL action button.
- Use one action button per card, and no more than 3 suggested replies.
- Put menu or help buttons at the message level, not on individual cards.
- Use the same image size, about the same amount of text, and the same number of buttons on every card. See RCS Image and Video Specs.
If you know which phone your subscribers use
You can send a version built for each phone instead of one for both. For how to find out which phone subscribers use and what to change in each version, see Send Different RCS Versions to iPhone and Android Subscribers.
Test before you send
Send a test to both an iPhone and an Android phone before you launch. Check that:
- Images aren't cropped in a way that hides your message.
- The title and first lines of text say what matters.
- Buttons and replies are easy to read on both phones.
For more information, see Test your RCS Agent before launch.
FAQ
Can Mobile Commons send a different version to each phone automatically? No. RCS doesn't report which phone a subscriber uses. To send different versions, see Send Different RCS Versions to iPhone and Android Subscribers.
Why does my image look cropped on Android but not on iPhone? Android fits the image to the Media Height you chose and trims anything that doesn't fit from the center. iPhone ignores that setting. Use the sizes in RCS Image and Video Specs to avoid this.
Why do iPhone subscribers see an "Options" button instead of my buttons? iPhone groups two or more action buttons into one Options menu. Use one action button to keep it visible.
Why can't I add a link to my card's title or description? Mobile Commons doesn't allow links there, and iPhone would show them as plain text that subscribers can't tap. Add the link with an Open URL action instead.
Why doesn't my GIF move on iPhone? iPhones show only the first frame of a GIF in a Rich Card or Carousel. Use an MP4 video for anything animated.