You want the better Android texting features, but the RCS switch is buried inside Google Messages and the setup breaks down fast if the wrong app is handling SMS. RCS messaging sends chats over Wi-Fi or mobile data when everyone in the conversation has RCS turned on and supported. Use Google Messages as the default SMS app, turn on RCS chats, confirm Connected, then send and manage chats from the same place.
1. Start with Google Messages as your SMS app
Google’s current consumer path for Android RCS is Google Messages. Start here before touching the RCS switch, because RCS setup depends on Google Messages handling your texts.
- 1.Open the Google Messages page in the Google Play Store.
- 2.Tap Install or Update.
- 3.Tap Open.
- 4.When prompted, follow the onscreen steps to make Google Messages your default messaging app.
If the prompt does not appear, open Android Settings, tap Apps, tap Default apps, tap SMS app, then select Google Messages. On Samsung Galaxy, go to Settings, Apps, Choose default apps, SMS app, then Google Messages.
2. Turn on RCS chats in Google Messages
Once Google Messages is installed and set as the SMS app, turn on the RCS feature from the app settings.
- 1.Open Google Messages.
- 2.Tap your Profile picture or Initial.
- 3.Tap Messages settings.
- 4.Tap RCS chats.
- 5.Turn RCS chats on.
RCS chats require Android 5.0 or higher, carrier and device support, internet access, and SMS verification. Availability varies by region, carrier, device, and data plan.
3. Confirm the RCS status before texting
Do not stop at the switch. Check the status line so you know whether RCS is actually ready.
Open Google Messages, tap your Profile picture or Initial, then tap Messages settings and RCS chats. Read the status shown there: Connected means RCS is ready, Connecting means activation is still running, Trouble connecting. Awaiting retry means setup failed and Google Messages will retry, and Not supported means your current setup does not support RCS.
If Verify your number appears, tap Verify your number and confirm your phone number. That is Google’s supported step when RCS is stuck during number verification.
4. Send an RCS message or voice message
- 1.Open Google Messages.
- 2.Tap Start chat.
- 3.Enter the contact’s name, phone number, or email address.
- 4.Tap the message box.
- 5.Type your message.
- 6.Tap Send.
When everyone in the conversation has RCS turned on and supported, Google Messages sends by Wi-Fi or mobile data. If the conversation is not RCS-capable, messages fall back to SMS or MMS depending on your settings.
For a voice message, open or start a conversation, tap the message box, tap Microphone, record the voice message, then tap Send. To dictate text instead, tap the message field, tap Microphone on Gboard, speak when Speak now appears, then tap Send in Google Messages.
5. Adjust receipts typing and fallback options
Open Google Messages, tap your Profile picture or Initial, then go to Messages settings and RCS chats. From there, set Send read receipts, Show typing indicators, and Resend messages or Automatically resend as text (SMS/MMS).
Turn on the SMS/MMS resend option when you want Google Messages to keep sending through regular texting after RCS becomes unavailable.
6. Pair Google Messages with a computer tablet or watch
For a computer, open Google Messages on your phone, open the account menu, tap Device Pairing, then choose or sign in with your Google Account when prompted. On the computer, open messages.google.com/web in Chrome, Firefox, Safari, or Microsoft Edge, sign in with the same Google Account, then tap the emoji on your phone that matches the computer screen.
For an Android tablet, install or open Google Messages on the tablet and follow the same setup flow as Google Messages for web. Some tablets with cellular connectivity and a SIM send messages without a phone connection, and carrier fees apply.
On a supported Galaxy Watch or Wear OS device, open Google Messages. Tap Switch inbox and Watch to send directly from the watch, or tap Switch inbox and Phone for phone-linked use.
7. Turn off RCS before changing phones or apps
Turn off RCS before moving to a device or messaging app without RCS, losing access to your phone number, or uninstalling Google Messages. Google says toggling RCS can remove you from group chats.
- 1.Open Google Messages.
- 2.Tap your Profile picture or Initial.
- 3.Tap Messages settings.
- 4.Tap RCS chats.
- 5.Turn RCS chats off.
If the old phone is unavailable, go to messages.google.com/disable-chat, enter your phone number, tap Send code, enter the 6-digit verification code, then tap Deactivate.
8. Move Samsung and carrier RCS users to Google Messages
Older Android RCS paths through Samsung Messages, AT&T Advanced Messaging, Verizon Advanced Messaging, and Verizon Message+ are not the current consumer setup. Samsung says Google Messages is recommended for Galaxy devices running Android 12 or newer in the US after Samsung Messages end of service starts July 6, 2026. AT&T directs Android users to Google Messages for RCS, Verizon no longer supports RCS in Samsung Messages, and Verizon Message+ was discontinued in December 2024.
If you use a managed work phone and the RCS or SMS setting is locked, follow the company-managed configuration. Android Enterprise admins can disable RCS, enforce Google Messages as the default SMS app, and configure RCS archival on fully managed devices.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does RCS work without mobile data?
RCS uses Wi-Fi or mobile data. If Wi-Fi is available and the conversation is RCS-capable, Google Messages can send RCS messages over Wi-Fi.
What does Connected mean in RCS chats?
Connected means Google Messages has activated RCS for your number and the feature is ready to use.
Can I use RCS from a computer?
Yes. Pair Google Messages with messages.google.com/web using the same Google Account, then confirm the matching emoji on your phone.
Is Gemini in Google Messages required for RCS?
No. Gemini can draft message text in Google Messages when the account and country are supported, but RCS setup only requires Google Messages, RCS chats, and Connected status.
