Android users can display read receipts on text messages they’ve read with Google’s RCS Messages app, but not everyone will want the feature on.
The introduction of RCS with the Google Messages app brought handy messaging features like read receipts to Android devices, but not everyone will want to have these indicators enabled. RCS, or Rich Communication Services, is the modern standard for mobile messaging. In many ways, it can be compared to Apple’s iMessage, giving users the ability to share real-time reactions, higher-resolution media, and much more.
Among the most basic RCS features (previously termed ‘chat features’) an Android user might make use of are read receipts, or the visual confirmation that a person’s message has been read by the recipient. When users have this on, it means their contacts will be able to see if they’ve read — or haven’t read — a message yet after receiving it. The feature is optional. To turn read receipts off, open the Google Messages app, tap the profile icon on the top right, then go to ‘Message settings’ > ‘RCS chats.’ From there, users will see the option, ‘Send read receipts,’ and they can toggle the switch to the off position.
While they can be useful, read receipts can be a point of tension, too, especially for those who have a tendency to take a long time or forget to respond to messages after reading them. Sometimes, users don’t even realize they’re enabled in the first place. In order to use read receipts, users must have RCS chats turned on. For those who aren’t sure if they’re using RCS or not, users should go into ‘Message settings’ > ‘RCS chats’ using the above instructions, then look for ‘Turn on RCS chats.’ A toggle switch beside it will indicate if it’s on or off.
Turning on RCS will make several features available in addition to read receipts. Users also have the option to display typing indicators when they’re chatting with other RCS users, and send emoji reactions to individual messages much like iPhone users can with iMessage. It’s a much more modern experience than SMS/MMS, and makes use of Wi-Fi over cellular data whenever possible.
Support for RCS has grown significantly since Google began pushing it in 2019, and major carriers including Verizon, T-Mobile, and AT&T have all embraced the system. While consumers have long hoped for a bridge between Android and iMessage users to eliminate the blue/green bubble woes, the iPhone-maker has so far shot down the possibility of it adopting RCS. Nevertheless, RCS continues to elevate the messaging experience on Android.
Source: Google
How To Turn Off Read Receipts On Android Text Messages – Screen Rant
