It’s probably time we moved on from the old SMS standard
When RCS chat is enabled in Google Messages, you can enjoy secure, interactive messages on your Android phone, something that previously required a third-party app or an iPhone. RCS chat is quickly becoming one of the world's most popular texting standards, as it adds many advanced features like advanced media sharing, inline replies, typing indicators, and encryption.
The top Android phones have fantastic cameras, but to share photos and videos in the best quality, you need RCS instead of the old SMS and MMS texting protocols that were made for the low-bandwidth cellular connections of the past. With 5G and RCS, you can show friends and co-workers where you're at and what you're doing while being more expressive using the special features of Android's built-in Messages app.
Rich Communications Services (RCS) is a communication protocol that will ultimately replace MMS and SMS messages on Android devices. Although the protocol was created in 2007, it failed to take off until fairly recently.
Google worked closely with the GSMA, its members, and carriers around the globe to create a universal profile for RCS that uses Android’s Messages client in 2019. Many Android users can use RCS Messaging now, but the messaging protocol is not supported on iOS.
The RCS update offers a better overall messaging experience with features that are similar to what you’ll find on iMessage, WhatsApp, and Facebook Messenger. Encrypted messaging, enhanced media sharing, group chats, and real-time typing indicators are just a few of the improvements that come with RCS chat.
Most modern Android phones ship with Google Messages as the default texting app, which includes RCS. You've probably used RCS when texting other Android users with a smartphone for the last few years. The issue comes when texting someone that uses an iPhone. Apple continues to refuse to adopt RCS despite Google’s high-pressure RCS shaming campaign. And while a world where Android and iPhone offer a unified messaging experience would be ideal, Apple’s hesitation seems justified since it took RCS more than a decade to gain traction with carriers and OEMs.
This guide focuses on the Google Messages app, the default on Google Pixel phones, and those from Samsung, OnePlus, Motorola, and others. If your phone doesn't come with Google Messages preinstalled, you can download it. A few regions may not support RCS Chat, but it's available in many of Android's most populous markets.
This guide focuses on the Google Messages app, the default on Google Pixel phones, and those from Samsung, OnePlus, Motorola, and others. If your phone doesn't come with Google Messages preinstalled, you can download it from the Play Store. Although the feature is not available in every region or on every carrier, Google announced more than 800 million people currently use RCS Messages during its 2023 I/O keynote address.
Most of the time, the Messages app prompts you to enable RCS if you haven't already. If the prompt below shows up, you're ready to set up and use RCS.
You can tell you're sending RCS Chat messages when the input dialog box says Chat message. If Google Messages doesn't prompt you to enable RCS Chat, follow the instructions in the next section to turn it on.
If you're opening the Google Messages app for the first time or you've reset your phone, you may need to manually enable chat features
Even though RCS improves the texting experience, it might not be the preferred solution for everyone. You may want to turn it off if you decide that RCS isn't for you. If you have issues with the connection, turning off the setting and reactivating it might be a good reason to do so.
To disable the RCS chat features on your device, do the following:
With RCS disabled, the messages you send and receive revert to traditional SMS/MMS text format until you enable RCS again. Disabling RCS before you get a new phone is also advisable to avoid potential messaging issues from the previous device. If you keep your old phone, it's easy to disable these settings first. If you no longer have access to it, Google has a form you can fill out to deregister your phone number.
To avoid issues, don't turn the chat features off and on multiple times in a short amount of time, as some people have been temporarily blocked from RCS chats when the feature is toggled on and off multiple times. Check out Google's recommendations if you find yourself locked out of RCS.
RCS chat can share high-resolution photos and videos, an improvement over traditional texts. You can also send messages over Wi-Fi and mobile data. In the RCS chats section of the Settings menu, you'll see more options to enhance your chats:
Google Messages has plenty of built-in features that work without any setup:
There shouldn't be any carrier charges when you use RCS chat on Wi-Fi. When you're away from Wi-Fi, the only charge is for mobile data, which is minimal when sending text. Be careful with video sharing if your mobile data plan is limited.
SMS and MMS are old and outdated messaging standards. Google solved this problem with RCS chats on all Android phones. Even if Apple refuses to participate in the RCS standard, Google has started making it easier to interact with iMessages. For Android users, messaging keeps getting better, and the number of great features in Google Messages is satisfying whether you use RCS or not.
Alan is a Tech Writer living in Nova Scotia, Canada. A tech-enthusiast since his youth, Alan stays current on what’s new and what’s next. With over 30 years experience in computer, video, and photo equipment, you can expect useful tips and insights in his writing. Alan has a degree in programming, many years focused on design, editing, and animation. A period of managing logistics and e-commerce operations for a mobile accessories company rounds out a diverse background. Alan is a true jack of all digital trades in this ever-changing computer-enriched world. To stay flexible in mind and in body, he practices yoga, light cardio, and eats a whole food diet, based on minimally processed plants.
Steven is the Evergreen and Features Editor at Android Police. Before joining AP, he was a mobile analyst at PCMag, where he reviewed hundreds of smartphones and tablets, explored the growth of assistive technologies, and covered Apple and Google’s privacy initiatives. He also worked as a mobile and wearables reporter at Digital Trends. 

Steven hold a BA in English and an MA in journalism and new media. He is a member of the Society of Professional Journalists (SPJ) and Investigative Reporters and Editors (IRE). 

When Steven is not writing or editing, you’ll find him scouring bookstores and working alongside socially engaged artists throughout the United States. 

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