Rich Communication Services (RCS) Chat

FAQ

• What are RCS chats?

  

  Rich Communication Services (RCS) chats provide an upgraded, rich messaging experience. You can feel the advantages of RCS chats as follows:

  • Show you when someone is typing.
  • Offer read receipts, which inform you when someone has read or received your message. Read receipts also show your contact when you read their message.
  • Send messages over mobile data and Wi-Fi.
  • Let you share files and high-resolution photos.

  When you use RCS chats, your messages are sent with the Rich Communication Services (RCS) protocol over Wi-Fi and mobile data. RCS chats will be turned on only when all the participants in a conversation have RCS. RCS chats are provided by Google or your mobile carrier.

• What devices work with RCS chats?

  

  Rich Communication Services (RCS) are available on Android devices.

• How do I turn on RCS chats?

  

  RCS chats will be turned on when all the participants in a conversation have RCS.

  • If you don’t have Google Messages, download it from the Play Store.
  • You might be asked to enter your mobile phone number as a part of the RCS chats setup.
  • RCS chats can be manually turned on if you tap your profile photo or icon, Message Settings and then RCS Chats.

  Tip: If you can't find "RCS Chats," tap Chat Features.

• How do I know if my message was sent?

  

  Google Messages tells you when your message has been sent, received, and read through the icons next to your message. Important: These icons won't show on SMS or MMS messages.

  • Timer: Your message is being sent.
  • Single check: Your message has been sent.
  • Double check: Your message has been delivered.
  • Color-filled double check: Your message has been read.
• I don’t have Google Messages. Can I still get RCS chats?

  

  Yes, if RCS is available from your country and carrier. Download Google Messages on your Android device if your default messaging app doesn't offer RCS chats.

• How do I know if I’m talking to someone using RCS?

  

  If your conversation’s compose bar displays “RCS message," your messages are sent using Rich Communication Services (RCS). To check your RCS availability and status:

  • Open Google Messages.
  • Tap your profile photo or icon and then Messages Settings and then RCS Chats.

  Tips:

  • If you can't find "RCS Chats," tap Chat Features. RCS messages you've sent are darker blue than SMS or MMS messages.
  • Locate the bubble badge. When you or someone you message turns on RCS, a "Bubble Badge for RCS" appears on your home screen.
• What happens if I don’t have data quota, or the recipient isn’t online?

  

  Google Messages can still be sent as SMS or MMS. You can check and set your default option when RCS isn't available:

  • Open Google Messages.
  • At the top right, tap your profile photo or icon - Messages Settings - RCS Chats - Resend Messages.
  • Choose your default option:
    • Always resend as SMS/MMS
    • Resend as SMS/MMS when not roaming
    • Ask before resending
    • Never resend as SMS/MMS
• What is the group chat experience when I include people who don’t have RCS chats?

  

  If all the participants don’t have RCS chats turned on, you still may be able to create SMS/MMS groups.

• Are my conversations kept secure?

  

  Your conversations are kept secure. When you send RCS chats to contacts that use Google Messages, your messages are end-to-end encrypted.

• Do RCS chats cost money?

  

  When you use RCS chats, your messages are sent over Wi-Fi and mobile data. As long as you're connected to a Wi-Fi network that you don't have to pay to use, there should be no cost to send and receive messages. If your messages are sent using mobile data, the cost is based on your mobile data plan. Google may occasionally verify your phone number via SMS to offer RCS chats (SMS charges may apply).

• Will my messages be sent if RCS chats aren't available?

  
  If RCS chats are unavailable, your messages can be sent via SMS or MMS. You can check and set your default fallback option when RCS chats aren't available.