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To turn on RCS in Google Messages, tap your profile picture or initial, then go to Messages settings > RCS chats and switch it on. If RCS is stuck connecting or a message will not send, check the connection and phone-number verification first; use SMS/MMS as a one-message fallback when needed.
How to turn on RCS chats in Google Messages
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Open Google Messages and tap your profile picture or initial.
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Tap Messages settings > RCS chats.
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Turn on RCS chats. Check the same screen afterward to see the connection status.
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Depending on the app version, the setting may instead be called Chat features. If neither label appears, RCS may not be available for your device or carrier. Google lists Android 5.0 or later as a requirement in its RCS troubleshooting guidance.
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What to check before troubleshooting activation
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Make sure Google Messages is the phone’s default SMS app. Google’s instruction is: “Make sure that Google Messages is your device’s default app for SMS.”
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Confirm the phone has an internet connection and can receive SMS messages; SMS reception may be needed to verify your number.
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Update Google Messages and Google Play services.
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Check that your carrier supports RCS for your device and line. Availability varies by device, carrier, and region.
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If two SIM slots are in use, check the dual-SIM configuration. Google’s FAQ recommends setting the Call SIM as the Data SIM.
How to fix RCS stuck on setting up or verifying
Check the RCS status
Open your profile menu, then go to Messages settings > RCS chats. Google Messages may show Connecting while it verifies your phone number. If you see Verify your number, follow that prompt and make sure the phone can receive SMS and has a working connection.
If “Trouble connecting. Awaiting retry…” continues
Google says this status lasting more than 30 minutes means Messages is having trouble verifying the phone number. Check the default SMS app, internet access, SMS reception, and SIM/data configuration. If those are correct, the line or carrier may still be preventing verification; local setting changes cannot guarantee RCS on a line or device that is unsupported.
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If the carrier disabled RCS
If the status says the carrier disabled RCS, contact the carrier to resolve it. Once the carrier issue is fixed, return to the RCS status screen and tap Retry. If the phone remains disconnected, Google also suggests sending feedback from the status details.
How to fix Google Messages stuck sending
Check whether the problem is RCS or texting generally
Look at the RCS status and check whether mobile data or Wi-Fi is working. Also confirm you have cellular signal, airplane mode is off, your plan has service available, the SIM is seated correctly, Google Messages is up to date, and it remains the default texting app. If messages fail only to one person, check the saved number and country code, and make sure the contact is not blocked.
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Switch an undelivered RCS message to SMS/MMS
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Open the conversation containing the undelivered RCS message.
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Tap the timestamp on that message.
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Choose Switch to text (SMS/MMS).
This changes how that message is sent; it does not repair RCS registration. Google says SMS/MMS fallback messages are not end-to-end encrypted. Google documents RCS as using Wi-Fi or mobile data and SMS/MMS as an option when RCS is unavailable, but actual availability depends on the device, carrier, and region.
If you recently changed phones or messaging apps
If you moved from an iPhone to Android, deactivate iMessage for your phone number so messages are no longer routed to the old service. If you recently switched messaging apps and stopped receiving messages, Google says you may need to turn off RCS in the previous setup. For a carrier-disabled or explicitly unsupported status, contact the carrier; if Google’s troubleshooting steps do not resolve activation, use in-app feedback or the Google Messages Help Community.
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