To turn on RCS, open Google Messages and tap your profile picture or initial, then go to Messages settings > RCS chats and switch RCS on. If a message is stuck, first check whether RCS is connected; for an RCS message that was sent but not delivered, you can switch that message to SMS/MMS from its timestamp menu.
How to turn on RCS chats in Google Messages
- Open Google Messages on your Android phone.
- Tap your profile picture or initial.
- Tap Messages settings > RCS chats.
- Turn on RCS chats. Check the status shown on this screen.
On some versions, the setting may be called Chat features. If neither label appears, RCS may not be available for your device or carrier. Google’s RCS troubleshooting guidance says Android 5.0 or later is required.
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What to check if RCS is stuck setting up or verifying
In Google Messages, return to Profile > Messages settings > RCS chats and read the status. Google says Connecting means your phone number is being verified. If Trouble connecting. Awaiting retry… continues for more than 30 minutes, Google identifies it as a phone-number verification problem.
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- If prompted, tap Verify your number.
- Make sure the phone has an internet connection and can receive SMS messages.
- Confirm Google Messages is the default SMS app, and update Google Messages and Google Play services.
- Check that your carrier supports RCS. If the status says the carrier disabled RCS, contact the carrier; once the issue is resolved, tap Retry.
- If both SIM slots are in use, check the SIM configuration. Google’s RCS FAQ recommends setting the Call SIM as the Data SIM.
RCS availability varies by device, carrier, and region, so local settings changes cannot enable it on a line that is not supported. If the status remains unresolved after these checks, use the feedback option in the status details or consult Google’s troubleshooting page.
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How to fix a message stuck sending
First determine whether the problem is limited to RCS or affects ordinary texting too. Check the RCS status and internet or mobile-data connection, then confirm you have cellular signal, airplane mode is off, your plan is active, and the SIM is seated correctly. Make sure Google Messages is up to date and is still your default texting app.
If messages to only one person are affected, check the contact’s saved phone number, including the country code when needed, and make sure the contact is not blocked. Google’s message troubleshooting steps include these checks.
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Switch an undelivered RCS message to SMS/MMS
- Open the conversation in Google Messages.
- Tap the timestamp on the RCS message that was sent but not delivered.
- Choose Switch to text (SMS/MMS).
This changes the delivery route for that message; it does not repair RCS registration. Google warns that messages sent as SMS/MMS are not end-to-end encrypted. Google documents RCS as using Wi-Fi or mobile data and SMS/MMS as an option when RCS is unavailable, but exact availability depends on device, carrier, and region.
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If you moved from an iPhone to Android, deactivate iMessage for your phone number. If you recently switched messaging apps and stopped receiving messages, Google says you may need to turn off RCS in the previous setup. For a carrier-disabled or unsupported status, contact the carrier; if Google Messages’ troubleshooting does not resolve activation, use in-app feedback or the Google Messages Help Community.
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RCS or SMS/MMS: which should you use right now?
| Option | When it can help | Connection and encryption |
|---|---|---|
| RCS | When RCS is available and connected for the participants. | Uses Wi-Fi or mobile data. Availability depends on device, carrier, and region. |
| SMS/MMS fallback | When an RCS message has been sent but not delivered and standard texting is available. | Google says SMS/MMS fallback messages are not end-to-end encrypted. |
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