Blog & Knowledge Base

Mobile messaging technologies and group messages

Communication on Android can work through several different channels, and each of them handles group conversations in its own way. DesktopSMS relies strictly on standard SMS, which has important limitations compared to MMS or RCS. Because of that, true group-chat messaging isn’t possible, only individual SMS delivery.

Understanding mobile messaging technologies and group messages

Modern smartphones support several different messaging technologies that often coexist next to each other. While they may look similar to the end user, they differ significantly in how they work, how messages are delivered, and what features they make possible.

In this article, we will take a deeper look at the three major messaging technologies used on Android devices: SMS, MMS, and RCS. We will explain what they do, what they don’t do, how group communication actually works in each of them, and why DesktopSMS can only work with standard SMS.

Overview of mobile messaging technologies

Although users simply “send a message,” the underlying mechanisms differ:

  • SMS (Short Message Service) – a classic, simple, global communication method supported by all mobile phones.
  • MMS (Multimedia Messaging Service) – an extension of SMS for sending images, audio, and group messages.
  • RCS (Rich Communication Services) – a modern IP-based messaging standard built into Google Messages.

SMS

SMS is the most basic and most compatible messaging technology. It is:

  • Reliable
  • Globally supported
  • Delivered through carrier infrastructure (not internet)

However, SMS also has significant limitations:

  • No typing indicators, read receipts, reactions
  • No real group messaging
  • 160-character limitation (before concatenation)
  • No images or files

Because SMS does not support true group messages, sending to multiple contacts means sending multiple individual one-to-one messages. This is how DesktopSMS works as well.

MMS

MMS was designed to extend SMS. It allows:

  • Images, audio, small files
  • Actual “group chats” where replies go to the whole group

MMS group chats work by creating a special MMS thread that includes multiple recipients. When a participant responds, the carrier back-end redistributes the message to everyone else.

MMS must be supported by both the carrier and the device. It also requires mobile data to be enabled, even if you have Wi-Fi.

MMS has limitations as well:

  • Higher cost (some carriers still charge for MMS)
  • Slow delivery
  • Poor media quality
  • Not reliably supported by all carriers or countries

RCS

RCS is the newest and most advanced messaging platform. It provides features similar to WhatsApp, Messenger, or iMessage:

  • Typing indicators
  • Read receipts
  • Reactions
  • High-quality images/videos
  • Real group chats with shared conversation history

RCS requires:

  • Google Messages
  • Internet connection (Wi-Fi or mobile data)
  • RCS enabled on both sides

If any recipient does not support RCS, your device may fall back to SMS or MMS.

Group messaging differences between SMS, MMS, and RCS

SMS group messages

SMS does not support group messaging. When you choose multiple recipients, the phone simply sends multiple separate 1:1 messages.

Replies from recipients also come back individually, not into a shared thread. There is no “group” at all — only multiple single conversations.

MMS group messages

MMS adds the ability to create a single shared conversation where everyone can see each other’s replies. However, your phone must explicitly decide to send your message as MMS, not SMS.

RCS group messages

RCS supports modern, internet-based group chats with features similar to other chat apps. If all participants have RCS properly enabled, communication stays entirely inside the RCS platform.

How DesktopSMS fits into this

DesktopSMS is designed around classic SMS because SMS is the only universally supported and developer-accessible messaging technology on Android. MMS and RCS have limitations that prevent DesktopSMS from supporting them:

  • RCS is proprietary – Google does not expose APIs for third-party apps.
  • MMS is highly carrier-specific – Android does not provide a reliable public API to send or manage MMS.
  • SMS is the only stable and officially supported option for apps that want to send messages on behalf of the user.

What this means for group messaging in DesktopSMS

When sending a message to multiple recipients in DesktopSMS:

  • Each message is sent as an individual SMS
  • There is no shared thread
  • Replies arrive individually

This behavior is fully aligned with how Android handles SMS at system level. DesktopSMS cannot switch your message to MMS or RCS, and it cannot simulate a “shared group chat.”

Final words

Mobile messaging is far more complex than it may appear. SMS, MMS, and RCS all serve different purposes and offer different capabilities. DesktopSMS operates in the SMS space because it is the only technology that is reliably accessible to third-party apps on Android.

If your workflow relies heavily on shared group chats (MMS or RCS), DesktopSMS unfortunately cannot replicate this, as Android does not offer a safe, stable, and legal way to send MMS or RCS from third-party applications.

If you have feedback, ideas, or feature suggestions, feel free to contact me — I am always open to improvements where technically possible.