Google has been pushing its RCS messaging feature, and we have seen them adjusting and wanting everyone to be on the same page. They are gradually rolling out the RCS messaging feature for all Android devices by partnering with OEMs. However, there are many Samsung users whose devices are unable to use RCS due to wireless carrier limitations. Today, in this article, we are going to share a guide that will allow Samsung users to enable the RCS messaging feature on their devices. Without further ado, let’s check this out.
RCS on Samsung Devices
Samsung pushes Samsung Message as the default SMS client on their devices, which I believe is a good thing, and they should if they can. You can still use the RCS message feature without relying on Google Message. However, the company already switched to Google Message with the launch of the Galaxy S22, but it still uses its custom skin on top of Google Message, which many users did not notice.
Even on Samsung Message, there is no feature section where you can enable RCS. However, RCS is available on Samsung Message on some carriers, but not all. On the other hand, RCS, with the Google Messages app, has support for all major carriers in the US.
Enabling RCS Chat on Samsung Message
Unlike Google Message, there is no direct way to enable RCS in Samsung Message. However, you do have an option to enable RCS. It depends on your carrier to activate the Advance Messaging service for your Samsung Message.
Once they enable this for you, you will be presented with a splash screen with the chat feature instead of saying RCS. Once your carrier enables this, you need to agree to the terms and services to continue using the message with RCS on your Samsung’s message.
- Open Samsung Message, and then tap the triple-dot menu that appears in the upper-right corner of the screen.
- After that, tap on Settings, which will open a drop-down menu. Then, tap on Chat Settings within the next settings panel.
- Choose Settings from the drop-down menu, and then tap on Chat Settings within the next settings panel.
Here you have the option to tweak your Chat Settings, which includes using a nickname in chats, setting a nickname, and sharing read status (this works quite similarly to read receipts, so when you have read the chat, it will just send the sender a receipt that you have read the message), auto-download (whenever you have some attachments, they can be downloaded automatically), roaming auto-download, and sharing typing indicators (this will let the other person know that you are typing). Apart from these, there are no extra settings to know while using RCS. Do note that it has been a slow process and a staged rollout. We can expect more to come shortly.
Enabling RCS Chat with Google Message
If the RCS feature is not active on your Samsung Message, then you have a good alternative, which is the Google Message app, to access the RCS feature. For this, you need to download and install Google Message on your Samsung device and then activate your account by verifying your contact number and enabling RCS.
- Open Google Message, and then tap on the triple-dot vertical dot in the upper-right corner of the screen.
- After that, tap on Settings from the drop-down menu.
- Next, tap on Chat Features, and then toggle to enable the Chat feature.
- Then, it will ask you to enter your phone number to verify, and then tap Continue. After you confirm your mobile number, tap Continue.
Once you finish this, you have completed the process of enabling RCS on your Samsung device with Google Message. You can see that you have enabled RCS under Status, but it may take some time after you verify, so please wait for it to finish. Now you can take full advantage of RCS on your Samsung device with Google Message.
RCS is the new SMS for Android.
Google has been trying to implement multi-conversation for years, and they continue to create a competing messaging application for Android. They are also trying to get Apple on board with RCS, for which Google updated its Message app. However, Apple does not seem interested in RCS and does not want to have RCS on Apple’s iMessage.