How to Enable RCS Messaging on Android: Step-by-Step Guide

Your texts still send as plain SMS, photos arrive blurry, and you can’t see when someone has read your message. Usually, that means RCS is switched off. Here’s how to enable RCS messaging on Android in a few taps: open Google Messages, tap your profile picture, go to Messages settings > RCS chats, and turn on RCS chats.

Once the status shows Connected, you can send high-quality photos and videos and see typing indicators and read receipts. Below, you’ll find what RCS is, detailed steps, fixes for common problems, and what RCS means for brands.

What Is RCS Messaging?

Rich Communication Services (RCS) is the modern upgrade to SMS. In simple terms, it’s SMS 2.0. It works in your phone’s default messaging app and adds chat features like high-quality photos and videos, typing indicators, read receipts, group chats, and messaging over Wi-Fi.

For businesses, RCS also adds rich cards, carousels, suggested replies, and verified brand profiles with a logo and name. These features help brands deliver a better experience and build trust with customers.

Why RCS Has Huge Reach

RCS has massive potential reach. For example, Android alone holds about 69% of the global mobile OS market, according to StatCounter data for September 2026. Usage is growing fast, too. In May 2025, Google said people in the U.S. send more than a billion RCS messages a day.

How to Enable RCS Messaging on Android

On Android, RCS works through the Google Messages app. Most new Android phones, including many Samsung models, already use Google Messages as the default texting app.

Before You Start

First, make sure that:

1. Your phone has a stable internet connection over Wi-Fi or mobile data.
2. You’ve installed the latest version of the Google Messages app.
3. Google Messages is set as your default messaging app.
4. Your carrier supports RCS. Most major carriers worldwide now do.

Steps to Turn On RCS Chats

Next, follow these steps from Google’s official help guide:

1. Open the Google Messages app.
2. Then, tap your profile picture or initial in the top-right corner.
3. Next, tap Messages settings.
4. After that, tap RCS chats.
5. Now, turn on RCS chats.
6. If asked, confirm your phone number and wait for verification.
7. Once the status changes to Connected, RCS is on.
8. Finally, you can turn on typing indicators and read receipts in the same menu.

That’s it. Now you’ve enabled RCS messaging on your Android phone.

How to Check If RCS Is Working

To check, go to Messages settings > RCS chats and look at the status. Here’s what each status means:

In addition, when you start a chat with another RCS user, the text box shows RCS message instead of “Text message.”

RCS Not Working? How to Fix It

If RCS won’t turn on or stays stuck on “Connecting,” try these fixes:

1. Check your internet connection: switch between Wi-Fi and mobile data.
2. Update your apps: update Google Messages and Carrier Services from the Play Store.
3. Confirm your default app: make sure Google Messages is your default messaging app.
4. Restart your phone: a quick restart often clears verification errors.
5. Toggle airplane mode: turn it on for a few seconds and then off again.
6. Wait before retrying: verification can take time. However, avoid switching RCS on and off repeatedly, because Google says this can remove you from group chats.
7. Contact your carrier: if you see “RCS chats are disabled by your carrier,” or the option is missing, your carrier needs to enable it.

How to Enable RCS Messaging on iPhone

Do you also text friends or customers who use iPhones? Apple added RCS support with iOS 18, so iPhone users can turn it on too.

Requirements

• An iPhone running iOS 18 or later
• A cellular plan from a carrier that supports RCS on iPhone

Steps to Turn On RCS on iPhone

According to Apple Support, follow these steps:

1. Open the Settings app.
2. Then, tap Apps.
3. Next, tap Messages.
4. After that, tap RCS Messaging.
5. Finally, turn on RCS Messaging.

Good to Know

• At first, there may be a short delay before RCS starts working after you turn it on.
• Also, RCS messages still appear in green bubbles on iPhone, just like SMS.
• If the RCS Messaging option is missing, however, your carrier or plan may not support it yet.
• Once RCS is on, iPhone and Android users can share high-quality photos and videos, typing indicators, and read receipts with each other.
• In iOS 26.5, Apple added end-to-end encrypted RCS messaging (beta), which is on by default with supported carriers.
• Similarly, to turn RCS off, follow the same steps and switch off RCS Messaging.

Benefits of RCS Business Messaging

Now that you know how to enable RCS messaging, here’s why it matters for brands and their customers.

Trustworthiness

RCS Business Messaging verifies company profiles and shows the brand’s logo and name in the chat. As a result, users trust the messages more, and brands protect their reputation from spoofing.

Interactive Messaging

Suggested actions and one-tap buttons make conversations between brands and users much faster. Consequently, users complete tasks sooner, brands receive more inquiries, and customer satisfaction rises.

Visually Appealing

Images and carousels create a richer experience than plain text. As a result, they catch attention and help users remember information. In addition, carousels let brands show several products or services at once, so users can scroll and pick what they like.

Automated Responses

RCS Business Messaging supports automated replies, so users get answers instantly. When a query is complex, the conversation can move to a live agent, which gives brands extra flexibility.

End-to-End Journeys

Often, users have to leave a messaging app and visit a website to finish a transaction. With RCS, however, brands can let users complete the entire journey, from browsing to booking or paying, without leaving the messaging app.

Conclusion

Enabling RCS on Android takes less than a minute, and it instantly upgrades your texting with rich media, read receipts, and better group chats. For brands, RCS brings rich, verified, and interactive conversational messaging to the default messaging app on billions of phones.

Gupshup is a global RCS partner that helps enterprises upgrade SMS with branding, rich media, and interactive journeys through our RCS Business Messaging API. Ready to reach customers with RCS? Book a demo with Gupshup today.

FAQ