Blacktel
SMS, MMS and RCS are different messaging formats. A number that receives SMS does not automatically provide picture messaging or rich chat features. Choose the format and the service that match what you want to send.
Three formats at a glance
| Format | Main purpose | What to check |
|---|---|---|
| SMS | Short text sent to a phone number | Text capability and the sender's length limit |
| MMS | Pictures and other supported media | Carrier, device and destination support |
| RCS | Internet-based rich messaging | Compatible apps, providers and conversation participants |
Why can SMS appear in an online inbox?
The message format and where you read it are different questions. A service can receive a normal SMS and show it in a signed-in browser inbox. Reading that inbox over Wi-Fi does not turn the original message into RCS.
Blacktel's Webphone SMS composer sends text messages. Check the selected number's SMS capability. Do not treat SMS support as an automatic promise of MMS, RCS or iMessage.
Pictures, group chats and delivery indicators
- A web link in an SMS is still text; it is not the same as sending an image attachment by MMS.
- RCS can offer media, typing indicators and read receipts when the app, network and recipients support those features.
- iMessage and apps such as WhatsApp use their own messaging systems. Their chats are not ordinary SMS just because an account uses a phone number.
- Check the message type shown by your app. Bubble colour alone does not reliably distinguish every format. Security features also depend on the active messaging service.
Choose the right option
- For plain texts or a service that sends SMS codes, check incoming SMS support.
- For outgoing texts, review the composer limit, destination and current SMS price. Blacktel can reject an overlong text rather than split it automatically.
- For pictures or rich group conversations, use a messaging service that explicitly supports those features.
- Find replies in the service associated with the sender number or account you actually used.
Questions and answers
Will enabling RCS on my phone change my Blacktel inbox?
No. Your phone's messaging settings and the Blacktel SMS inbox are separate services.
Does delivered mean read?
Not necessarily. An SMS delivery status is different from a rich-chat read receipt. Check what the particular status actually describes.
Useful tools and links
Official references
Next step
Compare number types, services and activation requirements before choosing your number.