[Guide] How to enable RCS Messaging on your Android phone

Rich Communication Services (RCS) on Android is a new way for phones to communicate. Without going into too much detail, the feature can be simplified down to the Android version of Apple's iMessage feature. The feature is safe, secure, encrypted, and is a handy way of communicating with friends and family without a third-party messaging app.

How to enable RCS Messaging on your Android phone

Enabling RCS Messaging on Android phones has an extra step, but hopefully, this will be resolved in the future.

First and foremost, you need to download the Google Messages app which you can download from the Play Store.

You can only use Google Messages on other Android devices. The app is currently not available for the Apple App Store.

When you download and install the app, Google Messages will ask to be set as the default messaging app of your phone. Give it all the permissions to do so. Once you are at the main menu of Messages, tap on the 3-dots at the top-right of the screen and open Settings.

You will see Chat Features at the top, tap on it.

Switch the toggle of Enable chat features to on.

You will then be prompted to Verify Your Phone Number, head to the next window, and enter the phone number of the device you are using.

If done correctly, your device will show Status: Connected. To test if the feature is working, text another number which you know is running RCS and you will be able to send a message as long as you have an active way of sending messages such as mobile data or home internet.

You will know it's RCS when below the text bubble of your message you see Delivered. When you are unable to text with an internet connection (via mobile or home), the message will send as an SMS.

When this happens, you will see an SMS below your text message. This means your carrier SMS is being used to message in RCS.

Keep in mind, RCS Messaging is still in its early stages, so far Google Messages is the only app that allows for RCS to run.

Due to how new RCS is in an ocean of more popular options such as Facebook Messenger, Snapchat, Instagram, and WhatsApp, this is a good backup option.