On your iPhone, go to Settings > Apps > Messages > RCS Messaging and check that RCS is turned on. That confirms RCS is enabled on your device, but it does not prove that a particular green-bubble message used RCS. For that, also check the conversation’s RCS status in Google Messages on the Android phone.
Check whether RCS is enabled on your iPhone
- Open Settings.
- Tap Apps, then Messages.
- Tap RCS Messaging and check that the switch is on.
Apple says iPhone RCS requires iOS 18 or later and a text messaging plan from a provider that supports RCS on iPhone. Availability varies by region and provider. If the RCS Messaging option is missing, RCS may not be available for your device, region, or provider. After enabling it, activation can take a few hours. See Apple’s instructions for turning on RCS messaging.
Check the status of the Android conversation
On the Android phone, open Google Messages and go to Profile icon > Messages settings > RCS chats. Review the RCS status. Google says RCS chats are active only when all participants in the conversation have RCS. The conversation or message composer may also indicate whether messages will be sent as RCS or SMS/MMS; the wording can vary by app version. See Google Messages’ RCS FAQ.
If RCS is unavailable for a participant, messages may use SMS or MMS instead. Google Messages can fall back to SMS/MMS when RCS is unavailable, so an enabled iPhone setting alone does not establish the protocol used for every message.
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Why a green bubble does not prove RCS
Apple uses green bubbles for both RCS and SMS/MMS. A green bubble tells you the message is not iMessage, but it does not distinguish RCS from SMS or MMS. Apple’s comparison of iMessage, RCS, and SMS/MMS lists both RCS and SMS/MMS as green-bubble message types.
Read receipts, typing indicators, and higher-resolution media are features RCS can support, but they are clues, not a universal protocol test. Their availability can depend on the participants’ devices and service.
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RCS status and encryption are separate checks
An encryption lock indicates that end-to-end encryption is active; it is not the basic test for whether a conversation uses RCS. Apple says encrypted RCS conversations show “Encrypted” with a lock icon. Cross-platform encrypted RCS began a beta rollout for iOS 26.5 and current Google Messages in May 2026, with supported providers required for all participants and availability rolling out over time. An RCS conversation without the lock may simply not have encrypted-RCS support available. See Apple’s RCS setup and encryption information and Google’s announcement about encrypted RCS.
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- YOUR CONTENT, SUPER SMOOTH: The ultra-clear 6.7" FHD+ Super AMOLED display of Galaxy A17 5G helps bring your content to life, whether you're scrolling through recipes or video chatting with loved ones.¹
- LIVE FAST. CHARGE FASTER: Focus more on the moment and less on your battery percentage with Galaxy A17 5G. Super Fast Charging powers up your battery so you can get back to life sooner.²
- MEMORIES MADE PICTURE PERFECT: Capture every angle in stunning clarity, from wide family photos to close-ups of friends, with the triple-lens camera on Galaxy A17 5G.
- NEED MORE STORAGE? WE HAVE YOU COVERED: With an improved 2TB of expandable storage, Galaxy A17 5G makes it easy to keep cherished photos, videos and important files readily accessible whenever you need them.³
- BUILT TO LAST: With an improved IP54 rating, Galaxy A17 5G is even more durable than before.⁴ It’s built to resist splashes and dust and comes with a stronger yet slimmer Gorilla Glass Victus front and Glass Fiber Reinforced Polymer back.
If RCS is not available
- On iPhone, verify that the device is running iOS 18 or later and ask your provider whether it supports RCS on iPhone in your region.
- On Android, check the RCS status in Google Messages settings.
- Do not assume a green bubble, read receipt, or typing indicator alone identifies the protocol.
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