Google has acknowledged an RCS delivery bug affecting a subset of Google Messages users and says a fix is rolling out over the coming weeks. The reports describe pictures, GIFs, Photomoji, and stickers failing to send mainly in Android-to-Android RCS conversations. Update Google Messages and check the basic requirements below, but these checks are not confirmed cures for the bug.
What is happening with Google Messages and RCS?
Reports published October 1, 2026 describe some Google Messages users unable to deliver media to other Android phones when RCS is enabled. The affected media reportedly includes pictures, GIFs, Photomoji, and stickers. The scope is unclear; this is not evidence that every user, device, or RCS conversation is affected. Android Authority’s report also described users who said switching to SMS/MMS worked for most of them.
In a follow-up published October 2, Android Authority quoted an unnamed Google spokesperson: “We are aware of a bug affecting a subset of Google Messages users that can lead to disrupted RCS message delivery. We are rolling out a fix that will reach everyone over the coming weeks. Please ensure you stay up to date with the most recent version of Google Messages.” Google’s statement as reported by Android Authority does not identify a specific app version or technical cause.
The fix is described as rolling out, not as already installed on every phone. Public reporting cannot show whether it has reached a particular device, and no figure has been published establishing how many users are affected. Reports did not describe the same problem when sending RCS media to iPhones with RCS enabled, but that is not proof that such conversations are always unaffected.
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What to check while the fix rolls out
Start with Google’s recommended checks. They address common sending problems, but Google has not said that each one resolves this particular incident.
- Update Google Messages. Open the Google Play Store, search for Google Messages, and install an update if one is available. Google specifically asks users to keep the app on its most recent version during the rollout.
- Check file access permission. In your phone’s Settings, open Apps, select Messages, then Permissions. Make sure the relevant file or photo access is allowed. Menu names can vary by Android version and manufacturer. Google says Messages needs file permissions to send or receive files: Google Messages help.
- Verify basic messaging requirements. Check that the SIM is inserted correctly, Google Messages is your default texting app, your carrier supports the relevant messaging service, and your plan or balance is sufficient. Confirm the phone has signal and Airplane mode is off. These are Google’s general troubleshooting checks, not confirmed fixes for the current RCS bug: Google’s message troubleshooting guide.
- Retry later if the ordinary checks are satisfied. Google says the fix will reach users over the coming weeks but gives no device-specific arrival time. Updating the app is worthwhile; it does not guarantee the fix is already available to your phone.
If you need to send the media now
If the recipient can receive SMS/MMS, switching away from RCS may work as a temporary fallback: users in the initial report said SMS/MMS worked for most of them. This is not guaranteed for every carrier or conversation, and MMS images may be compressed, affecting quality. Google offers RCS media quality choices that MMS does not: Google’s media-sharing guidance.
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For a separate MMS failure, Google recommends checking the mobile data connection and resetting APN settings to default. Those steps apply to MMS troubleshooting; they do not diagnose or fix the reported RCS incident. See Google’s troubleshooting guidance.
Choose a media quality setting for an RCS send
When sending through Google Messages, open a conversation, tap Gallery, choose the file, and select a quality option if shown. HD Optimized for chat sends quality media faster and uses less data; HD+ Original sends at full media resolution. The quality selector changes how media is sent, but Google does not present it as a fix for failed delivery. Google explains the media workflow and quality settings here.
Rank #3
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Why clearing storage is not a good first step
One user in the initial report said clearing Google Messages storage coincided with improvement, but also reported losing the Photomoji tab. That is a single anecdote, not a reliable remedy. The same report noted that ordinary troubleshooting attempts did not resolve the issue for some users. Avoid clearing app storage as a routine response unless you understand the possible loss of app data or have a specific reason to do so.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.What an RCS delivery failure means
The GSMA Universal Profile describes a file transfer as failed when the expected sent, delivered, or displayed confirmation has not arrived; the sender may manually trigger another attempt. This standard describes a file-transfer state, not the technical cause of Google’s current bug. The relevant document is the GSMA Universal Profile, version 2.7 (2024): GSMA Universal Profile document.
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Rank #4
- 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.
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