Activate RCS (Rich Communication Service) chats on your Android phone to experience more engaging communication and easy access to special offers.
Rich Communication Services (RCS) chats provide an upgraded, rich messaging experience. You can feel the advantages of RCS chats as follows:
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.
Rich Communication Services (RCS) are available on Android devices.
RCS chats will be turned on when all the participants in a conversation have RCS.
Tip: If you can't find "RCS Chats," tap Chat Features.
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.
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.
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:
Tips:
Google Messages can still be sent as SMS or MMS. You can check and set your default option when RCS isn't available:
If all the participants don’t have RCS chats turned on, you still may be able to create SMS/MMS groups.
Your conversations are kept secure. When you send RCS chats to contacts that use Google Messages, your messages are end-to-end encrypted.
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).