12.06.24
Sending and receiving texts feels like our primary mode of communication these days, thanks to the ubiquity of mobile devices and the ease of tapping out a quick message. In 2023, Americans sent more than 2.1 trillion text messages — that’s 67,000 per second — according to the wireless industry group CTIA.
But “texting” covers a few different types of messaging, including SMS messaging. Here’s what to know.
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SMS messaging is basic texting
SMS stands for Short Message Service, the first form of texting. It was developed in the 1980s and came into wider use in the 1990s. (Texting trivia: The first SMS message said “Merry Christmas” and was sent Dec. 2, 1992, by a Vodafone engineer.)
At first, SMS messages could only be sent between mobile devices on the same network, and they could have no more than 160 characters of text, including spaces. Texting wasn’t the easy process we enjoy today. Users had only their phone’s number keypad to select letters, such as pressing 4 three times to type “I.” That slow process and the message length constraint led to abbreviations and shortened spellings that hang around today, for example LOL and “ur.”
Refinements came throughout the 1990s: adding typewriter-style keyboards to phones, letting several 160-character texts appear as a single long message, and rolling out the ability to text users on a different mobile network.
Today, SMS messaging remains the simplest form of texting:
Texts go over a cellular network, not a data network.
Because they don’t use data, they can’t include media like photos and videos.
They only go between valid phone numbers, not to an email address.
Does it cost anything to send an SMS message?
Most unlimited phone plans include unlimited texting at no charge, but prepaid and other cheap phone plans may not. Be sure to check the fine print of any plan you’re considering to avoid billing surprises. (And keep in mind that length limit! You can send a longer text that appears as one block, but each 160-character chunk transmits separately and can be charged as an individual text.)
Also, be sure to understand your plan’s rules for texting across borders. Check to see what countries you can text to and whether there’s an added fee, and what your costs will be if you text while traveling in another country.
Pros and cons of SMS messaging
Pros
Cons
Messages can be sent between any two mobile devices, and they don’t require a smartphone. Can send only text — not emoji, photos, video, gifs or web links.
Uses the cell network, not data, so you can text even when you don’t have an internet connection. Doesn’t provide full group-chat functionality, letting everyone see all responses.
The simplest and cheapest messaging system. Not encrypted, so messages not protected from a third party intercepting them as they’re sent between devices.
What other types of messaging are there?
Because SMS messages can only hold text — and not a lot of it — they’re pretty limited. Fortunately, newer types of messaging have rolled out.
What is MMS messaging?
A newer texting format called Multimedia Messaging Service is available, but only for smartphones. MMS messaging lets you send longer messages and attach files like emoji, photos and videos, and web links. With MMS, you can also have true group chats, where everyone can read and respond to messages. Those 2.1 trillion messages sent by U.S. customers mentioned earlier are a blend of SMS and MMS messages.
MMS messages generally require a data connection (they can go over Wi-Fi if you have Wi-Fi calling enabled). The character limit is much more generous, at 1,600 characters, but networks limit how much data each MMS text can use. So don't expect to transfer massive amounts of content via a text.
Like SMS, MMS messages are not encrypted, so someone could potentially intercept them. And, as with any phone plan feature, be sure you understand any costs you might incur with MMS use.
What are RCS messages?
RCS stands for Rich Communication Services, and it’s a newer method of texting beyond SMS and MMS. Your device and your carrier both have to support RCS messaging, and you may have to turn on RCS in your settings.
You can use RCS to send photos, videos, emoji and links, and for group cats. It also supports typing indicators and read receipts. Note, though, that both devices must have RCS enabled, or the texts will send as MMS or SMS messages.
RCS messages are sent over mobile data and Wi-Fi, not the cell network, so check details of your data plan. Only messages between like devices (Android to Android, or among Apple devices) are encrypted now, but encryption of messages between Apple and Android users is rolling out soon.
What are Google Messages and iMessage?
Android and Apple have apps designed for their users that enhance messaging capabilities.
The Google Messages app on Android devices offers features such as high-resolution videos and photos, scheduled messages, spam protection and AI integrations. Texts between Google Messages users who are using RCS are end-to-end encrypted for privacy.
Apple’s iMessage app allows sharper video and photos, text and message effects, stickers and handwritten messages. Messages between Apple devices are encrypted.
SMS vs MMS vs RCS in text messaging
The broad term “text message” covers a lot of ground. Here’s a glance at the various types:
| Text message type | How it works | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|---|
| SMS | Uses the cellular network, not data. |
|
|
| MMS | Uses mobile data; can use Wi-Fi if you have Wi-Fi calling enabled. |
|
|
| RCS | Uses mobile data or Wi-Fi. |
|
|
Frequently asked questions about SMS messaging
Sending and receiving texts feels like our primary mode of communication these days, thanks to the ubiquity of mobile devices and the ease of tapping out a quick message. In 2023, Americans sent more than 2.1 trillion text messages — that’s 67,000 per second — according to the wireless industry group CTIA.
But “texting” covers a few different types of messaging, including SMS messaging. Here’s what to know.
SMS messaging is basic texting
SMS stands for Short Message Service, the first form of texting. It was developed in the 1980s and came into wider use in the 1990s. (Texting trivia: The first SMS message said “Merry Christmas” and was sent Dec. 2, 1992, by a Vodafone engineer.)
At first, SMS messages could only be sent between mobile devices on the same network, and they could have no more than 160 characters of text, including spaces. Texting wasn’t the easy process we enjoy today. Users had only their phone’s number keypad to select letters, such as pressing 4 three times to type “I.” That slow process and the message length constraint led to abbreviations and shortened spellings that hang around today, for example LOL and “ur.”
Refinements came throughout the 1990s: adding typewriter-style keyboards to phones, letting several 160-character texts appear as a single long message, and rolling out the ability to text users on a different mobile network.
Today, SMS messaging remains the simplest form of texting:
Texts go over a cellular network, not a data network.
Because they don’t use data, they can’t include media like photos and videos.
They only go between valid phone numbers, not to an email address.
Does it cost anything to send an SMS message?
Most unlimited phone plans include unlimited texting at no charge, but prepaid and other cheap phone plans may not. Be sure to check the fine print of any plan you’re considering to avoid billing surprises. (And keep in mind that length limit! You can send a longer text that appears as one block, but each 160-character chunk transmits separately and can be charged as an individual text.)
Also, be sure to understand your plan’s rules for texting across borders. Check to see what countries you can text to and whether there’s an added fee, and what your costs will be if you text while traveling in another country.
Pros and cons of SMS messaging
Pros
Cons
Messages can be sent between any two mobile devices, and they don’t require a smartphone. Can send only text — not emoji, photos, video, gifs or web links.
Uses the cell network, not data, so you can text even when you don’t have an internet connection. Doesn’t provide full group-chat functionality, letting everyone see all responses.
The simplest and cheapest messaging system. Not encrypted, so messages not protected from a third party intercepting them as they’re sent between devices.
What other types of messaging are there?
Because SMS messages can only hold text — and not a lot of it — they’re pretty limited. Fortunately, newer types of messaging have rolled out.
What is MMS messaging?
A newer texting format called Multimedia Messaging Service is available, but only for smartphones. MMS messaging lets you send longer messages and attach files like emoji, photos and videos, and web links. With MMS, you can also have true group chats, where everyone can read and respond to messages. Those 2.1 trillion messages sent by U.S. customers mentioned earlier are a blend of SMS and MMS messages.
MMS messages generally require a data connection (they can go over Wi-Fi if you have Wi-Fi calling enabled). The character limit is much more generous, at 1,600 characters, but networks limit how much data each MMS text can use. So don't expect to transfer massive amounts of content via a text.
Like SMS, MMS messages are not encrypted, so someone could potentially intercept them. And, as with any phone plan feature, be sure you understand any costs you might incur with MMS use.
What are RCS messages?
RCS stands for Rich Communication Services, and it’s a newer method of texting beyond SMS and MMS. Your device and your carrier both have to support RCS messaging, and you may have to turn on RCS in your settings.
You can use RCS to send photos, videos, emoji and links, and for group cats. It also supports typing indicators and read receipts. Note, though, that both devices must have RCS enabled, or the texts will send as MMS or SMS messages.
RCS messages are sent over mobile data and Wi-Fi, not the cell network, so check details of your data plan. Only messages between like devices (Android to Android, or among Apple devices) are encrypted now, but encryption of messages between Apple and Android users is rolling out soon.
What are Google Messages and iMessage?
Android and Apple have apps designed for their users that enhance messaging capabilities.
The Google Messages app on Android devices offers features such as high-resolution videos and photos, scheduled messages, spam protection and AI integrations. Texts between Google Messages users who are using RCS are end-to-end encrypted for privacy.
Apple’s iMessage app allows sharper video and photos, text and message effects, stickers and handwritten messages. Messages between Apple devices are encrypted.
SMS vs MMS vs RCS in text messaging
The broad term “text message” covers a lot of ground. Here’s a glance at the various types:
| Text message type | How it works | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|---|
| SMS | Uses the cellular network, not data. |
|
|
| MMS | Uses mobile data; can use Wi-Fi if you have Wi-Fi calling enabled. |
|
|
| RCS | Uses mobile data or Wi-Fi. |
|
|
