Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy.

If an RCS message is stuck on “Sending” or “Awaiting retry,” first check whether the problem affects every conversation or just one, then check RCS status, internet access, SIM and carrier support. On Android, Google Messages may send by SMS or MMS if RCS is unavailable and fallback is enabled and supported. On iPhone, RCS availability depends on the carrier, region, device and software.

Start with the scope of the problem

Notice whether all RCS conversations are affected or only one person or group. If all messages are stuck, check your connection, RCS registration and carrier service. If only one conversation is affected, the recipient’s number, availability or RCS support may be the issue. This distinction narrows the likely cause; it does not by itself identify a carrier outage or a single root cause.

  • All conversations: Check RCS status, internet access, SIM configuration and carrier messaging support.
  • One conversation: Check the recipient’s number and blocked status, and consider whether the recipient can currently use RCS.
  • Group chat changes: A participant temporarily losing RCS connectivity can cause a group chat to split into individual SMS/MMS threads.

Check RCS status and connection on Android

Read the status in Google Messages

Open Google Messages, tap your profile menu, then go to Messages settings > RCS chats. Check whether the status says connected, connecting, awaiting retry or unsupported. Menu wording can vary by app version. Google’s RCS troubleshooting guidance explains how to check the status and resolve common connection issues.

Check internet, signal and SIM

  • Confirm mobile data or Wi-Fi works by loading a webpage or using another online service.
  • Make sure airplane mode is off and the phone has a mobile signal.
  • Check that the SIM is seated correctly and the phone can receive SMS, which may be needed for verification.
  • On a dual-SIM phone, check that the intended SIM is configured for data and messaging.

Google’s Google Messages setup guidance includes SIM and connection checks. RCS requires internet access and active RCS availability; a working data connection alone does not guarantee that RCS is available.

Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy.
#1 Best Overall
Samsung Galaxy A16 4G LTE (128GB + 4GB) International Model SM-A165F/DS Factory Unlocked, 6.7", Dual SIM, 50MP Triple Camera (Case Bundle), Black
  • Please note, this device does not support E-SIM; This 4G model is compatible with all GSM networks worldwide outside of the U.S. In the US, ONLY compatible with T-Mobile and their MVNO's (Metro and Standup). It will NOT work with other CDMA carriers, and it is also not compatible with their MVNO (Visible, Xfinity Mobile, US Mobile, Cricket Wireless, etc).
  • Compatibility with certain third-party devices and accessibility accessories, including some hearing aids, may vary depending on manufacturer support, Bluetooth protocols, software compatibility, and regional firmware limitations. For additional hearing aid compatibility information, please refer to Samsung’s official support documentation.
  • Camera: 50 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1/2.76", 0.64µm, AF | 50 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1/2.76", 0.64µm, AF | 2 MP, f/2.4, (macro). Battery: 5000 mAh, non-removable | A power adapter is NOT included.

Update the app and check the carrier account

Install any available Google Messages update and confirm it is the default SMS app. Then check that your carrier supports RCS and that your plan or account balance permits messaging. Carrier support, plan conditions and RCS availability vary by country and service.

If Google Messages says “Awaiting retry”

Google says that if “Trouble connecting. Awaiting retry…” remains for more than 30 minutes, Google Messages is having trouble verifying your phone number. Follow the verification prompt in the app. The 30-minute point is a troubleshooting condition for this verification state, not a measure of how frequently RCS fails. See Google’s RCS troubleshooting steps.

Rank #2
Sale
Samsung Galaxy A17 5G Smart Phone 128GB US 1 Yr Manufacturer Warranty Black
  • 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 only one person or group is affected

Check the recipient’s full phone number, including the country code where relevant, and make sure the conversation is not blocked. If the contact entry may be out of date, remove and re-add it, then try again. Google lists these checks in its RCS troubleshooting guidance.

For a group conversation, a participant who temporarily loses RCS connectivity may cause messages to continue in individual SMS/MMS threads instead. That behavior does not necessarily mean your own RCS connection has stopped working.

Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy.
Rank #3
Tracfone Motorola Moto G 2025, 64GB, Saphire Blue (Locked to
  • Carrier: This phone is locked to Tracfone, which means this device can only be used on the Tracfone wireless network. Tracfone plan required, activating is easy, just 3 steps.
  • DISPLAY: Immersive viewing on a 6.7-inch super-bright 120Hz display with powerful stereo speakers and Bass Boost for cinematic entertainment.
  • CAMERA SYSTEM: Advanced 50MP Quad Pixel camera captures sharp, detailed photos and videos in any lighting condition
  • PERFORMANCE: Lightning-fast 5G connectivity paired with a powerful processor and RAM Boost for smooth multitasking.
  • BATTERY LIFE: Long-lasting 5000mAh battery with TurboPower charging technology delivers hours of power in minutes.

Use SMS or MMS fallback when available

In Google Messages, check whether automatic resend as SMS/MMS is enabled when RCS is unavailable. Google explains: “If you don’t have data, or the recipient isn’t online, Google Messages can still be sent as SMS or MMS.” Whether fallback works, and whether charges apply, depends on carrier service and your plan. See Google Messages Help.

On iPhone, check data and carrier support

Apple says sending RCS or MMS on iPhone requires mobile data or Wi-Fi, and advises checking whether the carrier supports that message type. Availability and steps depend on the carrier, region, device and software. Follow Apple’s guidance on sending messages for the relevant checks.

Rank #4
Sale
Samsung Galaxy A17 5G Smart Phone 128GB, US 1 Yr Manufacturer Warranty Blue
  • 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.

Reset RCS only after the basic checks

If RCS still will not connect or messages do not sync, Google documents toggling RCS off and then on again. If you no longer have access to the old phone, Google also provides remote deactivation using phone-number verification. Do not leave RCS turned off indefinitely: if you do not re-enable it within 30 days, you may be removed from RCS group chats. Follow Google’s RCS deactivation and reset instructions and the prompts for your situation.

Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Support on Ko-Fi

When to contact support

If these steps do not resolve the issue, contact your carrier or app/device support. Share your device model, operating system and Google Messages version if applicable, carrier and region, the exact status shown in RCS settings, whether the problem affects one or all conversations, and when the failure began. Those details help support distinguish a device or account configuration issue from a service-side problem; the sending status alone does not establish a carrier outage.

Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy.
Best Value
Samsung Galaxy A16 5G 128GB Cell Phone, Unlocked Android Smartphone, Large AMOLED Display, Durable Design, Super Fast Charging, Expandable Storage, US Version, 2025, Blue Black (Renewed)
  • Charger NOT Included, 6.7" Super AMOLED FHD+, 90Hz Refresh Rate, 385 ppi, 800 nits (HBM), 1080x2340px, 5000mAh Battery
  • 128GB, 4GB RAM, microSDXC, Exynos 1330 (5nm), Octa-Core, Mali-G68 MP2 or Mali-G57 MC2 GPU
  • Rear Camera: 50MP, f/1.8 (wide) + 5MP, f/2.2 (ultrawide) + 2MP, f/2.4 (macro), LED flash, panorama, HDR; Front Camera: 13MP, f/2.0, Android 14, up to 6 major Android upgrades, One UI 6.1
  • 3G: HSDPA 850/900/1700(AWS)/1900/2100; 4G LTE: 1/2/3/4/5/7/12/13/14/20/25/26/28/29/30/38/39/40/41/48/66/71, 5G: 2/5/25/41/66/71/77/78 SA/NSA/Sub6/mmWave - Nano-SIM + eSIM
  • US Model – Global Connectivity – Compatible with Most GSM Carriers like T-Mobile, AT&T, MetroPCS, etc. Will Also work with CDMA Carriers Such as Verizon, Straight Talk.

Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.