10 Fixes for Can’t Turn On RCS Messaging on Android
While Apple keeps iMessage limited to its product ecosystem, Android phone users get to enjoy RCS (Rich Communication Services) messaging. So you can enjoy longer texts, read receipts, reactions, video calls, typing indicators, photo and video sharing, Luckily, several mobile operators support RCS on Android through Google Messages. RCS is set to replace the traditional SMS and MMS messaging on your Android phone.
After the latest Android update, Google Messges prompts you to enable RCS messaging when you open it the first time while setting up your phone. Whether you got that prompt or not, you’ll need to turn on RCS messaging. Here are the fixes when you can’t turn on RCS messaging on Android.
Table of Contents
Before You Begin
You’ll need to tinker around with Google Messages settings to turn on RCS messaging. However, before you go fishing around, you’ll need to sort out a few basic things first. Here are the list of things you may check before tricky ones:
1. Check RCS Chat Status
After covering the basics, the first thing you’ll need to check is whether your phone has active RCS Messaging support. That means if your mobile service provider supports it, your Android phone needs to run at least Android 9.0 or higher. Here’s how to check the RCS chat status.
1.Open the Google Messages app and tap on the profile photo at the top-right corner. Then, tap onMessages settings.
2.Tap onRCS chats. If it saysConnected, then the problem might lie somewhere else.
3.If you seeDisconnectednext to Status, your Android phone does not have an active internet connection. Connect to theWi-Fior enable Mobile Data for RCS to connect.
4.If your RCS chat status displaysTrying to verify, then Google servers are verifying your phone number for proper functionality. TapVerify your numberif you see that for a while andwait for the process to complete.
2. Switch to Google Messages as the Default Messaging App
Are you using a carrier’s messaging app or a third-party one to turn on RCS chat on your Android? The problem with carrier messaging apps is they have alimited implementation of RCS. For example, Verizon supports RCS only on its Messages+ app. Similarly, theSamsung Messages app does support RCSbut the availabilibity varies depending on the mobile service provider.
Since the Google Messages app has universal compatibility for RCS regardless of your Android phone and carrier, you shouldmake Google Messages the default messaging app.
3. Turn Off the Toggle for SMS/MMS
Did the RCS chat in Google Messages stop working suddenly? The problem could be a toggle that switches sending all messages over SMS/MMS by default. That’s an honest mistake and double-checking that could save a lot of time.
1.Open the Google Messages app and open a chat. Then, tap on thethree dotsin the top-right corner.
2.ChooseDetailsand if the toggle next toOnly send as text (SMS/MMS)is turned on,disableit.
4. Check the Associated Mobile Number in Dual SIM Phones
Did you know that RCS only works on a single SIM? On your dual SIM Android phone, check the number that has active RCS chat service. RCS may be already on and connected only on one number, but not the other.
1.Open the Google Messages app to check the mobile number associated with RCS. Tap on the profile photo on the top-right corner and chooseMessages settings.
2.For phones with active dual SIMs, tap onGeneral. Tap onRCS chats.
3.The text next to Status will readConnected, you can see the mobile number associated with RCS chats. If you wish to use RCS with the other mobile number on your phone, tap theTurn on RCS chatstoggle to turn off RCS andconfigure it your other mobile number.
5. Turn Off RCS on Previously Used Phones
Were you using RCS chat on your old Android phone and it’s still activer even after you’ve bought a new phone?Many usersin Google Support forum stated that the RCS chat was still active on their old Android and that prevented it from turning on the new phone. You need to de-register RCS from your previous phone and connect RCS to the new phone.
1.To de-register your previous phone from RCS, head over to theGoogle Disable RCS chat pageand disconnect your mobile number from Google RCS servers.
2.Open the Google Messages app on your Android phone andenable RCS chatsagain.
6. Turn Off Sync for Google Fi
Google also recommends to turn off the Google Fi message sync which allows syncing the texts with Messages for Web. To turn it off, head over to theGoogle Messages for Web, and tap onStop sync & sign out. After that, you can turn on RCS on your phone.
7. Update the Carrier Services App
The Carrier Services app provides support for various services like Wi-Fi calling, VoLTE, and RCS. Hence, update theCarrier Services appto the latest version or it may cause issues in turning on RCS on your Android phone or tablet if you’re running an older version of the app.
8. Clear Cache for the Google Messages App
Many users recommend onthe Google support pageto clear the cache of the Messages app. That will give the app a sort of fresh start and you can enable RCS chat again for the Messages app on Android.
1.Tap and holdMessages appicon and tap on the‘i’ information iconfrom the floating menu.
2.Tap onStorage, and hitClear cacheat the right-bottom of the screen.
Similarly, you can also tryclearing the cache for the Carrier Services app.
9. Setup RCS with Mobile Data
RCS can also have issues if you set it up while connected to Wi-Fi. Sounds odd, butusers reportedon the Google Support page about setting up RCS with Mobile Data, and did work for them. Hence, try setting it up while using Mobile Data.
1.Turn offWi-Fiand connect toMobile Data(either 4G or 5G). Then, clear theCacheandDatafor the Google Messages app.
2.Press thePowerbutton andVolume downbutton for 8-10 seconds torestart your phone. Open Google Messages, and tap on the profile photo at the top-right corner. Tap onMessages settings.
3.Tap onRCS chats. Turn on the toggle forTurn on RCS chats.
Tip:Verify your number if required and your carrier will verify in about 10 minutes. Meanwhile, ensure you’re connected to mobile data.
10. Reset Mobile Network Settings
If you still can’t turn on RCS from your Android phone,consider resetting the mobile network settings. Resetting the mobile network settings removes all network configurations, also delete all Wi-Fi passwords and reset them to default. Hence, make sure you have all required Wi-Fi passwords backed up.
Alternatively, you can also contact your carrier to resend the mobile network settings as it helpedanother userturn on RCS on their Android.
Godspeed RCS
The RCS messaging is the next big thing that’s set to replace SMS and MMS on your phones. However, the major adoption rests with the mobile operators to support it. After that, switch it on in the Google Messages app for Android and you can enjoy the features that you enjoy in apps like WhatsApp and Telegram. Meanwhile, check our compilation of the best tips and tricks to use RCS chat in Google Messages.
Nitin Singh
A tech writer during the day and an anime aficionado by the night. When not in front of a screen, he can be seen playing Badminton. Appreciating the beauty of nature is a habit that has been developed since early on. Have views on tech, cars or life? Drop a text!
