RCS Chats On or Off in Google Messages

RCS (Rich Communication Services) is the modern messaging standard that Google Messages uses for features like read receipts, typing indicators, and high-quality media sharing. Turning RCS chats on or off changes whether your messages use this enhanced protocol or fall back to standard SMS/MMS. This guide walks you through enabling or disabling RCS in the Google Messages app on Android, what you need before starting, and how to fix common issues.

What You’ll Need

An Android phone with Google Messages set as your default SMS app.
A working internet connection (mobile data or Wi-Fi) for RCS to function.
Your phone number verified (you’ll be prompted during setup).
Android 6.0 or newer (most modern devices support RCS).
Carrier support for RCS (most major carriers support it, but some prepaid or smaller carriers may not).

Step-by-Step

Open Google Messages. Locate the app icon (usually a blue chat bubble) on your home screen or app drawer and tap it.
Access Settings. Tap your profile picture or initials in the top-right corner of the main conversation list. From the drop-down menu, select Messages settings.
Find RCS chats. In the settings menu, tap RCS chats (it may be labeled “Chat features” on some versions). This opens the RCS settings page.
Toggle RCS chats on or off. You’ll see a switch at the top labeled Turn on RCS chats (or “Enable chat features”). Tap the switch to turn it on (blue) or off (gray). If turning on, you may be asked to verify your phone number—follow the on-screen prompts, which usually involve receiving a text message with a code.
Confirm your choice. If turning off, a confirmation dialog may appear warning that you’ll lose access to RCS features. Tap Turn off or OK to confirm. If turning on, wait for the status to change to “Connected”—this can take a few seconds.
Check status (optional). After toggling, the RCS settings page will show your connection status: “Connected,” “Connecting…,” or “Disconnected.” If it says “Connected,” you’re all set.

Common Mistakes

Not having Google Messages set as default. RCS only works when Google Messages is your default SMS app. If you use another app as default, the RCS toggle might be grayed out or not work.
Turning off RCS but still seeing “Delivered” indicators. This can happen if the other person’s phone still has RCS enabled and the message is sent via RCS until your phone fully registers the change. Wait a few minutes or restart your phone.
Assuming RCS works without internet. RCS requires a data connection. If you’re on Wi-Fi, make sure it’s stable; if on mobile data, ensure you have signal.
Forgetting to verify your number. When turning on RCS, you must complete the verification process. Skipping it leaves RCS in a “Connecting…” state forever.

Tips

Use RCS for better media quality. RCS sends photos and videos in original quality, unlike SMS/MMS which compress them. Keep RCS on if you share lots of media.
Turn off RCS when traveling internationally. RCS uses data, which can incur roaming charges. Switching it off while abroad avoids unexpected fees.
Restart your phone after toggling. A quick restart helps your carrier’s network re-register your device with the new RCS setting, speeding up the connection or disconnection process.
Keep the app updated. RCS features evolve with app updates. Enable auto-updates in the Play Store to ensure you have the latest RCS capabilities.

Troubleshooting

RCS won’t turn on. If the toggle doesn’t respond or keeps reverting, check that Google Messages is your default SMS app (Settings > Apps > Default apps > SMS app). Also, ensure you have a stable internet connection. If the problem persists, clear the app’s cache: go to Settings > Apps > Google Messages > Storage > Clear Cache, then retry.

Status stuck on “Connecting…”. This usually means the phone number verification hasn’t completed. Try turning off RCS, restart your phone, then turn it back on and re-verify your number. If it still fails, your carrier may not support RCS—contact them.

Messages still show as RCS after turning off. This can happen because the other person’s phone hasn’t updated its status yet. Wait a few hours or ask them to restart their phone. Also, ensure your phone has an internet connection to send the “RCS disabled” update to the server.

RCS works but messages fail to send. If messages show “Not sent” or “Sending…” indefinitely, toggle RCS off and on again. If that doesn’t help, switch to SMS-only temporarily by turning off RCS and see if messages send normally. If they do, the issue is likely with the RCS server—try again later.

Can’t find the RCS chats option. If you don’t see “RCS chats” in settings, your device or carrier may not support it. Update Google Messages to the latest version, and check if your carrier supports RCS. Some devices require you to be on a specific Android version (Android 6.0+).

Frequently Asked Questions

Do both people need RCS for it to work?

Yes, both sender and receiver must have RCS enabled on their devices and be using a compatible app (like Google Messages). If one person doesn’t have RCS, messages automatically fall back to SMS/MMS.

Will turning off RCS affect my existing conversations?

No, your conversation history remains intact. The messages will simply be sent as standard SMS/MMS going forward, and you’ll lose RCS-specific features like read receipts and typing indicators.

Does RCS use my data plan?

Yes, RCS messages use your mobile data or Wi-Fi connection. However, they are typically very small (text is a few kilobytes), so the data usage is minimal. Media files sent via RCS are larger but still use data.

Can I use RCS on Wi-Fi only?

Yes, RCS works over Wi-Fi. If you have no mobile data but are connected to Wi-Fi, RCS will still function. This is useful when traveling or in areas with poor cellular coverage.

Is RCS the same as iMessage?

Not exactly. RCS is a universal standard that Google Messages uses, similar to iMessage in features, but it works across different Android devices and carriers. Unlike iMessage, RCS is not exclusive to one brand.

Why did my RCS turn off by itself?

This can happen if you switch SIM cards, reset your phone, or if your carrier temporarily disables RCS. Also, if you haven’t used the app for a long time, the connection may drop. Simply go back to RCS settings and toggle it on again.

Method: the standard formula for this calculation, rounded as each result states. See how the calculators work or report an error.

More cards in this drawer

The whole Numbers and Powers drawer →