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Turn RCS Chats On

  • Updated

On Wisephone, RCS chats can be turned on in Messages by opening the app, going to Messages settings, selecting RCS chats, and switching the feature on. On Android, this enables a richer messaging experience than traditional SMS or MMS, including typing indicators, read receipts, and higher-resolution photo and video sharing.

What RCS chats do

RCS, or Rich Communication Services, is a newer messaging standard designed to improve the default texting experience on supported devices and carriers. When it is active, messages can send over Wi-Fi or mobile data instead of relying only on standard SMS or MMS delivery.

Common RCS features include:

  • High-resolution photo and video sharing.
  • Typing indicators that show when someone is replying.
  • Read receipts that show when a message has been seen, if both people have that setting enabled.
  • Improved group chat tools, including better participant management in supported conversations.

Before you start

RCS chats depend on device, carrier, app, and connection support. If the carrier or device is not automatically set up for RCS, you may need troubleshooting before the feature will connect properly.

A few setup notes are worth knowing:

  • Messages (Google) should be the messaging app being used for these steps.
  • Your phone may verify your mobile number while setup finishes.
  • RCS usually uses Wi-Fi or your phone’s mobile data plan rather than standard texting charges, although standard text rates may apply during number verification in some cases.

Steps to turn RCS chats on

  1. Open Messages on Wisephone.
  2. Tap the profile picture or icon in the top-right corner.
  3. Tap Messages settings.
  4. Tap RCS chats. On some phones, this option may appear as Chat features instead.
  5. Turn RCS chats on.
  6. Recommended: turn on Automatically resend as text (SMS/MMS) so messages can fall back to SMS or MMS if RCS cannot send.

Once enabled, the app may show a setup or verification process before the service is ready. The most useful confirmation is the status shown under the RCS toggle.

Check connection status

The Messages app lists an RCS status inside the settings page. That status helps explain whether the feature is ready or still being configured.

Possible status messages include:

  • Connected: RCS chats are ready to use with other people who also have RCS enabled.
  • Connecting: Your phone number is still being verified.
  • Trouble connecting. Awaiting retry: Verification has not completed successfully yet.
  • Not supported: RCS is not available in the current setup, and Google advises checking the internet connection. Restart your device and check again.

If the app says that RCS chats are disabled by the carrier, you may need to contact your carrier directly.

After turning on RCS chats, a few optional settings can also be managed in the same menu. These settings affect how conversations behave, especially when messaging another person who also uses RCS.

Available options include:

  • Send read receipts, which lets others know when a message has been read.
  • Show typing indicators, which lets others see when a reply is being typed.
  • Resend messages, which controls how failed RCS messages are sent again if Wi-Fi or mobile data delivery does not work.

Google notes that one resend option may send media as an SMS with a link, and that link could be publicly accessible and not controlled by Google.

Important cautions

Google advises against turning RCS chats on and off repeatedly. According to its support guidance, doing so can remove you from group chats.

Google specifically highlights turning RCS off only in situations such as moving to a device without RCS support, switching to another messaging app, or losing access to the original phone while keeping the same number.


 

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