If Google Messages shows “Connecting,” “Trouble connecting. Awaiting retry,” or “Not supported,” check the exact RCS status first—it points to whether you need to verify your number, fix a phone or SIM setting, or contact your carrier. Then confirm Google Messages is your default SMS app, the phone has internet and can receive SMS, and the app and Android are up to date.
Check the RCS status before changing settings
Open Google Messages, tap your profile picture or initial, then select Messages settings > RCS chats. Read the status shown there:
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- Connected: RCS is available for chats with other people who also have RCS enabled. It does not mean every recipient or message will use RCS.
- Connecting: Google Messages is verifying your phone number. Check that the displayed number is correct and that your phone can receive SMS.
- Trouble connecting. Awaiting retry: Number verification has run into a problem. If this remains for more than 30 minutes, Google advises opening Details > Submit feedback.
- Not supported: RCS is unavailable with the current phone, carrier, or regional setup. A setting change cannot enable service that the carrier does not support.
Google Messages Help advises against routinely turning RCS chats off and on. Use the status-specific checks below rather than repeatedly toggling the setting.
Do these 3 things before closing this tab:
1Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errors2Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitches3Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsCheck the phone, app, and connection basics
Google’s setup guidance lists Android 5.0 or higher, a supported device and carrier, an internet connection, the ability to receive SMS, and Google Messages set as the default SMS app as requirements or checks for RCS setup.
#1 Best Overall
- YOUR CONTENT, SUPER SMOOTH: The ultra-clear 6.7" FHD+ Super AMOLED display of Galaxy A17 5G helps bring your content to life, whether you're scrolling through recipes or video chatting with loved ones.¹
- LIVE FAST. CHARGE FASTER: Focus more on the moment and less on your battery percentage with Galaxy A17 5G. Super Fast Charging powers up your battery so you can get back to life sooner.²
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- Make Google Messages the default SMS app. If another messaging app is the default, change the default SMS app in your Android settings and reopen Google Messages.
- Confirm internet and SMS access. Check that the phone can load a webpage over Wi-Fi or mobile data and can receive an ordinary SMS. RCS uses an internet connection, while number verification may require SMS reception.
- Update the software. Update Google Messages, Android, and Google Play Services, then check the RCS status again.
- If verification is stuck, submit feedback. For “Trouble connecting. Awaiting retry” that lasts more than 30 minutes, use Details > Submit feedback in the RCS settings.
Check SIM settings and carrier support
On a dual-SIM phone
If both SIM slots are populated, Google’s RCS FAQ advises configuring the Call SIM as the Data SIM. Check your phone’s SIM settings and make sure those selections match.
If Google Messages says RCS is disabled by your carrier
Contact your carrier; this status points to a carrier-side restriction, not a problem that an app toggle can resolve. Once the carrier resolves it, tap Retry in Google Messages.
Rank #2
- Carrier: This phone is locked to Tracfone, which means this device can only be used on the Tracfone wireless network. Tracfone plan required, activating is easy, just 3 steps.
- DISPLAY: Immersive viewing on a 6.7-inch super-bright 120Hz display with powerful stereo speakers and Bass Boost for cinematic entertainment.
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- PERFORMANCE: Lightning-fast 5G connectivity paired with a powerful processor and RAM Boost for smooth multitasking.
- BATTERY LIFE: Long-lasting 5000mAh battery with TurboPower charging technology delivers hours of power in minutes.
If RCS is unsupported
RCS availability depends on carrier and region. Check with your carrier whether RCS is supported for your number and current setup. If it is not available, use SMS/MMS where appropriate.
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Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →Separate RCS failures from ordinary SMS or MMS problems
If regular text messages also fail, troubleshoot SMS/MMS as well as RCS. Google recommends checking the following:
Rank #3
- YOUR CONTENT, SUPER SMOOTH: The ultra-clear 6.7" FHD+ Super AMOLED display of Galaxy A17 5G helps bring your content to life, whether you're scrolling through recipes or video chatting with loved ones.¹
- LIVE FAST. CHARGE FASTER: Focus more on the moment and less on your battery percentage with Galaxy A17 5G. Super Fast Charging powers up your battery so you can get back to life sooner.²
- MEMORIES MADE PICTURE PERFECT: Capture every angle in stunning clarity, from wide family photos to close-ups of friends, with the triple-lens camera on Galaxy A17 5G.
- NEED MORE STORAGE? WE HAVE YOU COVERED: With an improved 2TB of expandable storage, Galaxy A17 5G makes it easy to keep cherished photos, videos and important files readily accessible whenever you need them.³
- BUILT TO LAST: With an improved IP54 rating, Galaxy A17 5G is even more durable than before.⁴ It’s built to resist splashes and dust and comes with a stronger yet slimmer Gorilla Glass Victus front and Glass Fiber Reinforced Polymer back.
- Make sure the SIM is correctly inserted and the phone has a signal; turn off airplane mode if it is on.
- Check that your carrier supports messaging on your plan and that you have any required service or credit.
- If the issue affects only one person, verify the recipient’s number, including the country code when relevant.
These checks address basic messaging problems; they do not establish that an RCS-specific verification issue has been fixed.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Choose whether to wait for RCS or resend as SMS/MMS
If a message cannot go through RCS, you can wait while you troubleshoot or choose a resend option in Google Messages. SMS/MMS can be a practical fallback when delivery is urgent and the recipient can receive those message types, but it does not provide the same RCS features. SMS/MMS messages also do not show RCS delivery indicators.
Rank #4
- PRIVACY DISPLAY: Automatically hide your screen from those beside you. The built-in privacy display can be preset¹ to turn on when receiving notifications, typing passwords, or using specific apps
- TYPE IT IN. TRANSFORM IT FAST: Enhance any shot in seconds on your smartphone by using Photo Assist² with Galaxy AI.³ Add objects, restore details, or apply new styles by simply typing or tapping
- NIGHTS, CAPTURED CLEARLY: From gigs to city lights, record and capture moments after dark with clarity using Nightography so your photos and videos stay crisp and clear on your Samsung Galaxy
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- HELP THAT KEEPS UP: Stay in the moment while Now Nudge with Galaxy AI helps you respond faster and stay organized with smart suggestions⁵ that appear exactly when you need them on your phone
Google Messages offers options for how failed RCS messages are resent, including SMS/MMS. Read the option carefully: Google warns that “SMS with a link” can make the media accessible through a public link that Google does not control. Consider that privacy trade-off before selecting it.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- Carrier: This phone is locked to Tracfone, which means this device can only be used on the Tracfone wireless network. Activating is easy, just 3 steps.
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- CAMERA SYSTEM: 50MP Quad Pixel camera. Capture sharper, more vibrant photos day or night with 4x the light sensitivity.
- PERFORMANCE: Blazing-fast Qualcomm performance. Get the speed you need for great entertainment with a Snapdragon 680 processor and 4GB of RAM.
- 64GB built-in storage. Get plenty of room for photos, movies, songs, and apps. Made for US
Who to contact when the problem persists
- Number verification remains on “Awaiting retry” for over 30 minutes: Submit feedback from Details > Submit feedback in the RCS settings.
- The app says RCS is disabled by your carrier, or says it is unsupported: Contact your carrier to confirm availability or resolve the restriction.
- SMS/MMS also fails: Ask your carrier to check messaging service, SIM status, and any applicable plan or credit requirements.
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