Telnyx Launches RCS Messaging API, Bringing Rich Business Chat to Android and iOS

Telnyx is taking business messaging to the next level—literally—with the general availability of its RCS Business Messaging (RBM) API, just in time for Apple’s RCS support in iOS 18. The announcement positions Telnyx as an infrastructure-forward player ready to unify messaging across nearly every smartphone in the world.

While RCS (Rich Communication Services) has long been the SMS successor that never quite reached critical mass, Apple’s long-awaited adoption of the protocol may finally change that—and Telnyx is betting big on it.

Why This Matters: Rich Messaging, No Apps Required

With Telnyx's RCS solution, businesses can now deliver interactive, multimedia-rich messages directly to native messaging apps—with no third-party downloads, no friction, and no loss in fallback reliability.

That means branded carousels, clickable replies, video messages, embedded calendar invites, payment links, and more—all showing up in the default messaging app, whether your customer is using Android or iOS 18.

“This is a tipping point for business messaging,” said David Casem, CEO of Telnyx. “For the first time, brands can reach nearly every smartphone user with interactive, trusted messages in the default messaging app.”

Key Features for a Richer Customer Journey

Telnyx’s developer-first approach shines here. The new RCS API offers:

• Verified sender identity, to ensure customer trust

• Suggested replies, carousels, and media support, all native

• Embedded interactions like payments, location sharing, or event scheduling

• Global delivery with fallback-to-SMS and carrier-grade connectivity

• Unified API, complete with real-time analytics and webhook support

It’s all part of Telnyx’s broader mission to build real-time communications infrastructure for developers—a space they’ve already made waves in with programmable voice, messaging, and networking products.

Apple + RCS: The Messaging Shift Businesses Have Waited For

For years, RCS was the “Android thing.” Now, with Apple rolling out support in iOS 18, RCS finally stands a chance at becoming a true SMS replacement—bridging the feature gap without dragging users through third-party apps like WhatsApp or Messenger.

“This changes the game,” said Juan Hidalgo, Director of Messaging Connectivity at Telnyx. “Whether it’s a clickable product carousel or a real-time order update, RCS gives brands the ability to create moments of engagement that feel native, personalized, and secure.”

That “native” part matters. Unlike OTT platforms (Over-the-Top, like WhatsApp), RCS keeps the interaction inside the default messaging app, which most users check dozens of times a day. Combine that with interactive features and verified branding, and suddenly, your message isn’t just read—it’s experienced.

Telnyx’s Infrastructure Edge

What sets Telnyx apart? The same things that have made it a darling of developer-centric telecom:

• Direct-to-carrier architecture

• Real-time fallback logic

• Scalable global infrastructure

• Transparent pricing and clean developer tools

Telnyx isn’t just offering an API—it’s offering a launchpad for rich messaging at scale. And with Apple now in the RCS ring, the timing couldn't be better.

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