TeamThe Rich communication service has been in the pipeline for a while now, and finally, it’s on android. It was rolled out in 2019 as a support system for the Google message applications. RCS is an upgrade to the boring SMS feature we have always been used to. With a few added features, you will see when the other party is typing and whether they have received the message. What’s more, you can also be able to place video calls and send images and videos.
So finally, even if your phone is not advanced enough to accommodate various apps such as WhatsApp and Facebook Messenger, you will be able to access all these in your SMS-powered text messaging. However, it is not a default setting on your phone, meaning you have to poke around to activate it. Also, note that you will only enjoy this upgrade if the recipient of your message has also activated their RCS. Moreover, you’ll also need the internet for it to function. Below is a comprehensive process that you can follow to activate your RCS service on your android phone.
Preparation before Activation of RCS Service
Before you start enjoying your upgraded messaging system, there are a few simple steps you need to follow. However, it would be best if you first took note of the following.
- Have an internet connection, either WIFI or mobile data
- RCS has to be available in your location and must be supported by your carrier
- The Google messaging app must be the default messaging app on your phone
Before enabling this service, you have to ensure that these three things are in check. Also, if you do not know how to change the default messaging app to the Google message, you can follow the following steps;
- Go to your phone settings
- Look up “apps and notifications”
- Click on default apps
- Select an SMS App
- Finally choose Messages as your default application for messaging
Quick Guidelines on how to enable RCS Service on an Android Phone
After ensuring everything is in check, you can now proceed to enable the RCS service on your phone. It should be simple from here since you will only be carrying out the activation. So if you are using an Android phone, and you have been wondering how do I activate my Google RCS SMS service? This is the standard procedure.
Open your messaging app click on the three dots appearing on the top of your screen. Tap on the Settings option. Click on general, which is at the top. After that, select the chat features option. If the status appearing at the top of the screen is written “connected” in green, it means your account is already connected. However, if it is not connected, you can tap the enable chat features option.
The status part will be written ‘connecting’. Don’t interrupt. Allow it to connect. Google will then send you an OTP code to confirm that your account is now active. The features of this messaging system will be all activated. They include; send read receipts and show typing indicators. That’s it, and you can enjoy your RCS service and communicate smoothly with your friends and family without necessarily wondering whether the recipient has read the message.
Remember, if RCS is not supported in your local area, then the configuration will be impossible. If it does not work on the first instance, you can try setting it up again, this time with WIFI or mobile data turned off since they tend to interfere. Turn the internet on, after configuration is complete, it should start working then. If it still does not work, then your phone might be missing the carrier service app. Cross-check on the Apps and Notifications section whether it is there. If it is not available, then you can get it from the Play Store.
Remember to always activate your mobile data or WIFI when you want to use the RCS messaging system. Without the internet, it will go back to the normal messaging mode where you cannot see any read receipts or when the other part is typing.
This upgrade has been a long-awaited one by android phone users seeing as iPhone users have been enjoying iMessaging for quite a long while. RCS works best for people who are not social media enthusiasts. They can still use their messaging app to send quick messages without getting online, and they can see whether their message has been received and read.
Bottom Line
Activating the Google RCS SMS service is a simple process that will not take you long to set up. Assuming there are people on your contact list who use it, you can start using it right away after activating it. If no one is using it, you can also enlighten your friends about it and ask them to join you.
