Mobile users can opt out of receiving RCS for Business messages using the following methods:
Method | Platform* | User action | Brand visibility |
Standard keyword reply | All platforms | Typing a keyword | High (Brand receives an opt-out message) |
Suggested Reply button | All platforms | Tapping a button | High (Brand receives a data payload) |
Report as SPAM | All platforms | Varies | Low (Brand doesn’t receive anything) |
Unsubscribe button | Android | Tapping a button | High (Brand receives a STOP message and API webhook) |
RCS Business Messages toggle | iOS | Disabling a toggle | Medium (Brand receives a "Delivery Failed" message) |
*Platform is either Android or iOS (iPhone).
Standard keyword reply
Because RCS for Business is governed by the same TCPA and CTIA guidelines as SMS in the US, brands are required to support mandatory keywords.
Action: User types and sends STOP, QUIT, CANCEL, END, or UNSUBSCRIBE directly in the chat.
Brand Notification: Since these are sent as active messages, the brand's RCS agent receives the text string and must, by law, process the opt-out and send a final confirmation message.
Suggested Reply button
Brands often include a Suggested Reply button at the bottom of a rich card or carousel specifically for opting out.
Action: User taps a button labeled Opt out of future updates or Stop Messages.
Brand Notification: A postback and reply signal are sent to the brand’s server. This is the most reliable way for a brand to track why a user has opted out, as the button can be tied to a specific campaign ID.
Report as SPAM
Users can block senders and report messages as SPAM, however these options don’t provide any information back to the brand/agent host.
Action: User blocks sender and reports the message as SPAM.
Brand Notification: None
Unsubscribe button (Android only)
On Android, users can unsubscribe from RCS for Business messages via a button that’s typically located in the conversation menu or at the bottom of the chat.
Action: The user taps the Unsubscribe button.
Brand Notification: Google Messages automatically sends a STOP message from the user's number to the brand.
RCS Business Messages toggle (iOS only)
On iOS 18 and later, users can disable RCS for Business messages via a toggle located in settings.
Action: Navigate to Settings > Apps > Messages > RCS Messaging and toggle RCS Business Messages off.
Brand Notification: The RCS infrastructure (Google Platform) informs the brand's platform that the user is no longer reachable via the RCS channel. Bandwidth then passes this information via error code 4754.
Note: This option doesn’t return an opt-out indicator to the brand/agent host.