The color of text bubbles on mobile devices running Google’s operating system indicates the technology used to transmit the message. Blue bubbles signify messages sent via Rich Communication Services (RCS), a modern protocol that offers enhanced features such as read receipts, typing indicators, and high-resolution media sharing. Green bubbles denote messages sent via Short Message Service (SMS) or Multimedia Messaging Service (MMS), older protocols primarily used for communication with devices that do not support RCS or when data connectivity is unavailable.
This visual distinction provides users with immediate feedback regarding the capabilities and features available for each conversation. The shift towards RCS aims to improve the overall messaging experience, offering a more feature-rich and interactive alternative to the legacy SMS/MMS standards. The color-coding helps users understand potential limitations, such as the inability to share high-quality videos when communicating via SMS/MMS.
