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:

Check your default messaging app

Make sure that Google Messages is your device’s default app for SMS. Learn how to get started with Google Messages.

Check your data connection

Make sure your Android phone or tablet is connected to the internet and can receive SMS.

Check your RCS chats status

1. On your Android phone or tablet, open the Google Messages .
2. Tap your profile photo or icon Messages settings RCS chats.
3. Check the RCS chats status.
4. If you're not connected, tap Retry or Verify your number.

Tip: If you can't find "RCS chats," tap Chat features.

Check the Google Messages version

Make sure you and the person you’re chatting with have the latest Google Messages version.

1. On your Android phone or tablet, tap Settings .
2. Tap Google Messages .
   • If it doesn't show up in the list of recently opened apps, tap See all apps Google Messages .
3. Scroll down.
4. Tap App details.
5. If the option is available, tap Update.

Check your Android version

You must have Android 5.0 or higher for RCS chats to work. Learn how to check your Android version.

Check your Google Play Services version

Make sure Google Play Services is updated to the latest version. Learn how to keep your device and apps working with Google Play Services.

Check the phone number associated with Google Messages

1. On your Android phone or tablet, open the Google Messages .
2. Tap your profile photo or icon Messages settings Advanced.
3. Select Phone number.
4. Edit the number to match the phone number associated with your SIM card.
5. Tap OK.

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:

1. Tap your profile photo or icon Messages settings Advanced.
2. Tap Google Fi settings.

In Messages for web:

1. On your Android phone or tablet, go to messages.google.com/web.
2. Tap More Settings Stop sync & sign out.

(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.

Related resources

• RCS chats by Google FAQ
• Learn about Rich Communication Services (RCS) messaging