How To Allow RCS Messaging on Android

Rich Communication Services (RCS) is the upgraded messaging protocol to SMS to modernize chat communication. It comes with all the cool features commonly found in social apps like WhatsApp or Twitter, including read receipts, GIFs, typing indicator, and high-resolution media sharing, etc.

However, it’s disabled by default on Android phones, so you have to enable it first to be able to use it in your default messaging app. In this post, I am going to tell you what you need to get the RCS feature and how to enable it on your Android phone.

Prerequisites

Unlike SMS, RCS isn’t available on every device or carrier, and there are other requirements too. Below are some points you need to comply with to be able to use RCS.

• Have a stable internet connection (WiFi or mobile data). RCS works over the internet, unlike SMS.
• The phone must be running on Android 5.0 or above.
• Have the Google Messages app. Although most other apps also have RCS, Google Messages is the default on most Android phones, and it has RCS. I will also be using it for demonstration.
• Make sure the Messages app is set as the default.
• Your carrier must support RCS messaging. This can be confirmed when we actually try to enable this feature below.

Enable RCS messaging on Android

You’ll have to enable RCS in the Google Messages app settings. Open up the Messages app and follow the instructions below:

Tap on the three vertical dots menu at the top-right corner and select “Settings” from it.

Now tap on “Chat features” and then turn on the “Enable chat features” toggle on the next page. If you can’t turn it on, then it means your device/carrier doesn’t support this feature.

Afterward, tap on the “Verify Your Number” button and provide your phone number to verify it. It can take a few seconds to verify.

Once verified, RCS will be enabled, and you’ll be able to customize features like read receipts and typing indicators, etc.

It should be kept in mind that both Android phones must have RCS enabled to be able to chat using it. If RCS is not enabled on the recipient’s phone, then the app will fall back to SMS/MMS to deliver the message.

Ending thoughts

RCS is definitely a needed upgrade to SMS/MMS, and you should turn it on to get the best messaging experience when the conditions are met. Even if you don’t prefer using it over other social apps, it’s still worth turning on, as it will save you SMS charges and offer better service when you send a message to another phone with RCS enabled.

If you have any questions or are still having trouble enabling RCS on your Android phone, feel free to let us know in the comments below.