Texting 911 via RCS is coming to Google Messages

Texting with emergency services is about to get an upgrade. Starting this winter, Google Messages will support texting 911 through RCS.

Using SMS to contact 911 is available at just over half of all emergency dispatch centers in the US, but in those areas, people using RCS will benefit from a handful of new features like location sharing and read receipts. The timing of the announcement — just days before Apple is expected to announce RCS support in iOS 18 — is probably no coincidence, either.

Google is working with a company called RapidSOS, which can already relay certain medical information to emergency responders for both iPhone and Android users. Once enabled by an emergency dispatch center, people texting that center via Google Messages will see the usual indicators that they’re messaging over RCS. They’ll also see read receipts and typing indicators when the dispatcher is responding.

The ability to text 911 has been slowly rolling out over the past decade. The FCC says that in areas where texting with 911 isn’t supported, wireless carriers are required to provide a bounce-back message directing them to place a call instead. So nobody has been left wondering if a message went through, in theory, but a read receipt is reassuring nonetheless.

RCS will also support higher-quality image and video sharing with first responders and will allow you to send your precise location. Google says it’s working with its partners to expand RCS messaging with emergency services and is “inviting the ecosystem to partner with us to provide reliable emergency messaging for everyone.” I can’t help feeling that’s a nudge in Apple’s direction, which is widely expected to announce RCS support at WWDC next week.