What’s RCS messaging for Android phones?

RCS stands for Rich Communication Services, a standard international protocol used in the telecommunications industry to improve SMS/MMS messaging on Android phones.

Inspired by popular instant messaging apps, RCS works through the native messaging app on your phone. It’s easy to use and provides a rich multimedia experience using many chat features that weren’t available with traditional text messaging.

• Private and group conversations 
• Delivery and read receipts 
• File sharing, high-resolution pictures and videos
• Audio and video message sharing
• Location sharing 

Chat features are only available through the internet (mobile data or Wi-Fi). Make sure you have a data plan or a Wi-Fi connection to avoid additional fees. 

To use RCS, you need to have: 

• A mobile plan including text messaging and access to mobile data or Wi-Fi 

• A compatible phone on Android version 5.0 or higher 

• An updated Google Messages application 

See our mobile plans

Chat features are used by default once enabled. 

You’ll be able to use these features by having conversations with other devices who also have it enabled. 

How to activate/deactivate the chat feature: 

1. Open the Messages app. 

2. Tap Settings. 

3. Tap Chat Features. 

4. Tap Enable chat features on or off. 

The RCS service is offered by Google. To report a problem or comment on the service, you must therefore use the corresponding form in the Google Messages app. 

Here’s how: 

1. Access the Menu. 

2. Tap on Help and Comments. 

3. Tap on Send Comments. 

Your comments are sent to Google and the information may be read without Google contacting you directly. 

Find more information and support on chat features on Google Messages Support.