Turn on RCS chats in Google Messages (2024)

With Rich Communication Services or RCS, a modern industry standard for messaging, you can have a more dynamic and secure conversation with someone than SMS or MMS. Learn about Rich Communication Services messaging.

Turn on RCS chats for the first time

When RCS chats are turned on, you can send messages over Wi-Fi and use other features.

If your carrier and device aren’t automatically set up for RCS chats, you may be offered RCS chats. You might be asked to provide your phone number.

Important: You may occasionally receive a text from Jibe Mobile from Google to verify your phone number. RCS chats are available for your default or preferred call SIM at this time and may be available for other SIMs later. Manage your default call SIM in your System settings. To learn how to use dual SIM settings, contact your device manufacturer.

If your carrier supports RCS but your device isn’t automatically set up for RCS chats, you may get a notification to "Do more with Google Messages." If you get this notification:

  1. On your device, open Google Messages Turn on RCS chats in Google Messages (1).
  2. Tap Get Started Turn on RCS chats in Google Messages (2) Next.
  3. To keep Google Messages connected, tap Yes.

If you can't turn on RCS chats, learn how to troubleshoot.

Turn RCS chats on or off

Important: If you do not turn off RCS chats in Settings to stop sending and receiving RCS messages when you remove a SIM card from your device, RCS chats may continue to work for up to 14 days.

  1. On your device, open Google Messages Turn on RCS chats in Google Messages (3).
  2. At the top right, tap your profile picture or icon Turn on RCS chats in Google Messages (4) Messages settings.
  3. Tap RCS chats.
  4. Turn RCS chats on or off.

Tips:

  • If you can't find "RCS chats," tap Chat features.
  • If you’re not connected, tap Verify your number.
  • You can also use the Google Messages deactivation web portal to turn off RCS chats.

Use the deactivation portal if you:

  • Used your phone number with an old phone and don't receive text messages on your new phone.
  • Lose or break your phone but still have your phone number.
  • Change messaging apps on the same phone and aren't receiving messages.

Understand RCS chat status

To find your status, go to Settings Turn on RCS chats in Google Messages (5) RCS chats. If you can't find "RCS chats," tap Chat features.

The possible statuses are:

  • Connected: RCS chats are ready to use with other people who have them turned on.
  • Setting up: Google Messages is verifying your phone number. If verification takes more than a few minutes, next to the status, tap Retry.
  • Disconnected: RCS chats are temporarily unavailable. Check that you're connected to the internet.

Turn specific features in RCS chats on or off

Let others know you've read their messages

To turn on read receipts:

  1. On your device, open Google Messages Turn on RCS chats in Google Messages (6).
  2. Tap your profile picture or icon Turn on RCS chats in Google Messages (7) Messages settings.
  3. Tap RCS chats.
    • Tip: If you can't find "RCS chats," tap Chat features.
  4. Tap Send read receipts.

To find out when others have read your message, they must turn on read receipts in Settings.

Show others when you're typing in a conversation with them

To turn on typing indicators:

  1. On your device, open Google Messages Turn on RCS chats in Google Messages (8).
  2. Tap your profile picture or icon Turn on RCS chats in Google Messages (9) Messages settings.
  3. Tap RCS chats.
    • Tip: If you can't find "RCS chats," tap Chat features.
  4. Tap Show typing indicators.

If sending a message doesn't work, choose how to resend it

If you tried unsuccessfully to send a message over Wi-Fi or mobile data, you can choose how to resend a message:

  1. On your device, open Google Messages Turn on RCS chats in Google Messages (10).
  2. Tap your profile picture or icon Turn on RCS chats in Google Messages (11) Messages settings.
  3. Tap RCS chats.
    • Tip: If you can't find "RCS chats," tap Chat features.
  4. Tap Resend messages.
  5. Choose how to resend a message.
    • Important: If you choose the option to send as “SMS with a link,” your media could be accessible by a public link not controlled by Google.

Find out if your message is sent by mobile data, SMS, or MMS

The Send icon in the compose bar displays the method your message will be sent. These are the possible ways your messages will send:

  • Send by Wi-Fi or mobile data Turn on RCS chats in Google Messages (12)
  • Send by SMS Turn on RCS chats in Google Messages (13)
  • Send by MMS Turn on RCS chats in Google Messages (14)

About Carrier Services

Carrier Services provides services to support RCS (Rich Communication Services) messaging in Google Messages. It collects diagnostic and crash data to ensure these services operate smoothly.

Related resources

  • RCS chats by Google FAQ
  • Google Messages by Google Community
  • Can't turn on RCS chats
  • How RCS chats keep your conversations secure

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Turn on RCS chats in Google Messages (2024)

FAQs

Turn on RCS chats in Google Messages? ›

Android devices

Firstly, open the Google Messages app and navigate to Settings > Chat Features. Here, you'll find the option to enable RCS messaging. If the option to enable RCS is not available, it means that your carrier or device isn't compatible with RCS messaging yet.

How do I turn on RCS on Google Messages? ›

Android devices

Firstly, open the Google Messages app and navigate to Settings > Chat Features. Here, you'll find the option to enable RCS messaging. If the option to enable RCS is not available, it means that your carrier or device isn't compatible with RCS messaging yet.

How do I switch back to RCS in Google Messages? ›

To turn RCS messaging on or off on Android, launch the Google Messages app and tap on your profile icon. Then, go into Message Settings >RCS chats and toggle the Turn on RCS chats option on or off.

How do I know if my Google Messages are RCS? ›

If your conversation's compose bar displays “RCS message," your messages are sent with Rich Communication Services (RCS). To check your RCS availability and status: Open Google Messages . RCS chats.

How do I fix Google RCS messages? ›

How to Fix RCS (Google Messages) Not Working on Android?
  1. Method 1: Replace Default Messaging App With Google (RCS) Messages.
  2. Method 2: Restart Your Phone.
  3. Method 3: Check the RCS Connection Status on Android.
  4. Method 4: Clear Cache and Data of Google Messages App.
  5. Method 5: Clear Storage for Carrier Services.
Mar 28, 2024

How do I turn off RCS on Google Messages? ›

  1. Open Messages.
  2. Tap More options > Settings > RCS chats.
  3. Turn off RCS chats.

Is RCS better than SMS? ›

RCS enables enterprises and brands to connect with users via large, high-quality snippets and attachments on Android phones, while SMS has less functionality but wider device capability. SMS established itself as the mobile messaging technology of choice some time ago, but RCS can augment SMS's more limited features.

Does RCS cost money? ›

How can I get RCS and is it free? RCS is available for free to all Android users. Better yet, they don't need to download an app to make it work.

Why does Google Messages say RCS? ›

RCS stands for Rich Communication Services, a standard international protocol used in the telecommunications industry to improve SMS/MMS messaging on Android phones. Inspired by popular instant messaging apps, RCS works through the native messaging app on your phone.

Why are some texts RCS and others not? ›

Device Compatibility: RCS requires both the sender and the recipient to have a compatible device and messaging app that supports RCS features. If either party does not have RCS capabilities, the message will default to a traditional SMS.

Why doesn't my phone have RCS messages? ›

You must have Android 5.0 or higher for RCS chats to work. Learn how to check your Android version. Make sure Google Play Services is updated to the latest version. Learn how to keep your device and apps working with Google Play Services.

Does deleting an RCS message delete it for everyone? ›

Unlike WhatsApp, RCS chats have not provided a delete for me or delete for everyone feature yet.

Is RCS chat safe? ›

RCS chats by Google uses Transport Layer Security (TLS) encryption to protect your messages. This means that anyone trying to intercept your messages between you and Google would only be able to find encrypted, unreadable text.

How do I turn my RCS back on? ›

Turn specific features in RCS chats on or off
  1. On your device, open Google Messages .
  2. Tap your profile picture or icon. Messages settings.
  3. Tap RCS chats. Tip: If you can't find "RCS chats," tap Chat features.
  4. Tap Send read receipts.

What is the problem with RCS? ›

Bad implementations of RCS allow hackers to get into the network through a number of ways. For instance, a hacker could simply be on the same WiFI network or have access to the ISP's servers to alter the requests being sent and received.

Why are my RCS Messages locked? ›

You're using encryption when you see a lock icon next to your read receipt on a message you sent. RCS chat uses Transport Layer Security (TLS) encryption. This means messages appear as unreadable text to anyone attempting to intercept your messages.

Why is RCS not working for one contact? ›

Important: To use RCS, everyone in a group or 1-on-1 conversation must have RCS turned on.

How to switch from SMS to RCS on Android Samsung? ›

From the Google Message home screen, select your profile icon>Messages settings>RCS chats. Make sure this is enabled. Individuals on the other end of texts can disable this feature, so with some contacts you wouldn't necessarily be able to tell if they're read or not.

Does RCS work between Google Messages and Samsung messages? ›

However, Google Messages and Samsung Messages are still the only first-party messaging apps supporting RCS messaging. Since RCS is interoperable, it also works between Google Messages and Samsung Messages.

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