Can't turn on RCS chats

Important: To use RCS, everyone in a group or 1-on-1 conversation must have RCS turned on.

If your device and carrier network support RCS and you have problems turning on RCS chats, try these steps:

1. Check your RCS chats status: Open Google Messages . Tap your profile photo or icon Messages settings RCS chats. Check the RCS chats status. If you’re not connected, tap Retry or Verify your number.
   Tip: If you can't find "RCS chats," tap Chat features.
2. Check your data connection: Make sure your Android phone or tablet is connected to the internet and can receive SMS.
3. Check the Google Messages version: Make sure you and the person you’re chatting with have the latest Google Messages version.
4. Check your default messaging app: Make sure that Google Messages is your device’s default app for SMS.
5. Check your Android version: You must have Android 5.0 or higher for RCS chats to work. Learn how to check your Android version.
6. Check your Google Play Services version: Make sure Google Play Services is updated to the latest version.
7. Change the phone number associated with Google Messages: Open Google Messages . Tap your Profile icon Messages settings Advanced. Select Phone number, then edit the number to the correct phone number associated with your SIM card. Tap OK.
8. Check your Google Fi default: Make sure your Google Fi message sync is off.
   • You can also stop sync on your old phone when you sign in from your new phone.
   • In Google Messages: Tap your Profile icon Messages settings Advanced Google Fi settings.
   • In messages for web:
     1. Go to messages.google.com/web.
     2. Tap More Settings Stop sync & sign out.
9. (Optional) Check the Carrier Services app version: Most devices come with Carrier Services app pre-installed. If it’s pre-installed, make sure you have the latest Carrier Services app version.

Try other ways to fix the issue

If you’re still unable to turn on RCS chats, clear the application storage for Carrier Services and Google Messages.

Step 1: Clear Carrier Services

Important: If you don’t have Carrier Services on your phone, go to step 2 to clear Google Messages.

To clear Carrier Services:

1. On your Android phone or tablet, turn on Airplane mode .
2. Go to Settings.
3. Tap Apps & notifications See all apps Show system Carrier Services.
4. Tap Storage Clear Storage.
5. Force quit then restart the Carrier Services app:
   • Go to Settings. Tap Apps & notifications Carrier Services Force Stop.

Step 2: Clear Google Messages

Important:

• If you clear Google Messages, you won't lose your messages, but you'll lose your Google Messages settings.
• Until you get RCS back, some of your Rich Communication Services (RCS) messages may be marked "MMS," and you might have problems with RCS groups.
• Unless someone else in the group chat can initiate a conversation, you may not immediately be able to use group chats after you turn RCS back on.

To clear Google Messages:

1. On your Android phone or tablet, turn on Airplane mode .
2. Go to Settings.
3. Tap Apps & notifications Messages Storage Clear Storage.
4. Force quit then restart the Android Messages app:
   • Go to Settings Apps & notifications Messages Force Stop.
5. Turn off Airplane mode .
6. After a few minutes, to find out if you're connected, check your RCS chats status.

Learn more about RCS chats.

Need more help?

If the steps in this article didn't solve the issue, you can go to the RCS chats by Google FAQ or ask questions in the Google Messages Community.