RCS (Rich Communication Services) is transforming the way Android users communicate, offering advanced features like high-resolution media sharing and read receipts.
While 84% of businesses are eager to adopt RCS for customer communications, many users still prefer the simplicity of SMS.
Whether you’re looking to enable these enhanced features or stick with traditional messaging, knowing how to turn RCS on or off is essential.
So, Let us understand how you can turn on and turn off RCS message on your Android device.
RCS messaging on Android gives you iMessage-like features, but turning it on/off can be tricky. Access it through Messages settings -- RCS chats. Remember, disabling RCS removes you from group RCS chats. Try RCS for a richer texting experience, but be aware of carrier limitations.
What is RCS Messaging?
Rich Communication Services, or RCS, is a protocol designed to replace SMS and MMS messaging. It provides a more enriched communication experience by supporting features like high-resolution photo sharing, read receipts, typing indicators, and group chats.
RCS brings functionalities similar to popular messaging tools like WhatsApp shared inbox and Facebook Messenger inbox directly to your native messaging app, particularly Google Messages.
: RCS Messaging: Advancing Mobile Communication- Chat features: Send and receive photos and videos in higher quality, see typing indicators, and get read receipts—features previously missing from SMS.
- Group chat enhancements: Enjoy richer group conversations with features like shared participant lists and nicknames.
Why Should You Turn Off RCS Messaging?
RCS messaging enables features such as seeing when someone is typing, receiving read receipts, and sending high-quality photos or videos. But even with all these upgrades, there are some real-world reasons why turning RCS off might be the smarter choice.
1. It Doesn’t Always Work Well Between Android and iPhone
If you’re switching from Android to iPhone, it’s still a good idea to turn off RCS on your old Android device, especially if your iPhone hasn’t been updated to iOS 18 yet or if your carrier hasn’t fully rolled out the update. Leaving RCS on can sometimes cause issues, such as missed messages or group texts not working properly, even with Apple now adding support.
2. Your Messages Might Get Delayed or Fail
RCS relies on a stable internet connection, whether it’s mobile data or Wi-Fi. If your signal is weak or spotty, messages may take a while to send, or they may not go through at all. It’s frustrating when you’re trying to send something important, and it just hangs there. Sometimes, regular SMS is more reliable.
3. You’re Switching Devices
If you’re changing phones, especially switching from Android to iPhone, and you forget to turn off RCS, your texts can end up being routed to your old device instead of your new one. It’s like forwarding your mail to the wrong address.
4. It’s Not Fully Private Yet
While RCS is a significant improvement over traditional SMS in terms of security, it still doesn’t always provide full end-to-end encryption, especially when texting someone on a different phone model or network. That means your messages could be stored or seen during transmission. If privacy is a concern for you, it may be better to turn RCS off and use a messaging app that’s built with full encryption in mind.
How to Turn Off RCS Messaging on iPhone?
To disable RCS messaging on your iPhone:
Step 1: Open the Settings app.
Step 2: Scroll down and tap Apps.
Step 3: Select Messages.
Step 4: Tap RCS Messaging.
Step 5: Toggle off the switch next to RCS Messaging.
This action will revert your messages to standard SMS/MMS when communicating with Android users. It’s essential to note that RCS features are only available if your carrier supports them.
How to Turn Off RCS Chat On Android?
If you prefer to stick with traditional SMS messages or are facing issues with RCS, you can easily turn off RCS messaging. Let us understand how to turn off RCS messaging step-by-step:
Step 1: Open the Google Messages app on your Android phone.
Step 2: Tap on the three vertical dots in the top right corner to open the menu, then select “Settings.”
Step 3: Within the Settings menu, tap Chat features.
Step 4: Toggle the switch to turn off RCS message features.
Step 5: A pop-up box will notify you that you will be removed from group RCS chats. Tap Turn Off to continue.
: What is Google Business Messaging?Here’s what you can expect with RCS:
Once you disable RCS messaging, your messages will revert to the standard SMS/MMS format. This can be useful if you experience connectivity issues or if your contacts do not use RCS.
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Explanation of RCS Chat Statuses
After enabling RCS messaging, you may receive several status messages. Here’s an explanation of what they mean:
- Sent: This indicates that your message has been sent to the recipient’s server.
- Delivered: Confirms that your message has been delivered to the recipient’s device.
- Read: This shows that the recipient has opened and read your message.
- Typing: Displays when the recipient is typing a response.
- Connecting: Your phone is attempting to establish an RCS connection.
- Not connected: RCS messaging is disabled or unavailable on your carrier’s network.
- Chat disabled: RCS features are turned off for the specific conversation.
What RCS Features Does Google Messages Have?
With RCS messaging turned on, you can enjoy the following additional functions in Google Messages:
- High-Resolution Media Sharing: Send photos and videos in high resolution without the limitations of MMS.
- Read Receipts: Know when the recipient has read your messages.
- Typing Indicators: See when the other person is typing a message.
- Group Chat: Create and manage group chats with advanced features like adding/removing participants and assigning roles.
- Rich Media: Share location, GIFs, stickers, and more seamlessly within conversations.
- Verified Business Messaging: Interact with verified businesses for secure and trustworthy communication.
- Chatbots: Access automated responses and services from businesses directly within the chat.
These features make Google Messages a powerful tool for both personal and business communication, blending the simplicity of SMS with the sophistication of modern messaging apps.
Wrapping Up
Rich Communication Services (RCS) represents a significant leap forward in mobile messaging, offering a richer, more interactive experience compared to traditional SMS.
By following the steps outlined in this guide, you can easily turn on or off RCS messaging on your most Android phones.
Whether you opt for the enhanced features of RCS or the reliability of SMS, understanding how to manage these settings ensures you get the most out of your Android device’s messaging capabilities.
Frequently Asked Questions
No, RCS is not the same as SMS. While SMS is limited to text and basic media, RCS supports high-resolution media sharing, read receipts, typing indicators, and more, offering an experience similar to modern messaging apps.
RCS messaging is generally seen as a positive development because it enhances the capabilities of traditional SMS. However, its effectiveness depends on network support, device compatibility, and user preferences.
RCS messaging itself does not incur additional costs beyond your regular data usage. However, since it uses mobile data or Wi-Fi, ensure you have a data plan on your Andorid devices to avoid extra charges.
Disadvantages of RCS chat include limited availability (not all carriers and devices support it), reliance on data connectivity, and potential privacy concerns due to data being stored on servers.
The primary weakness of RCS is its fragmented adoption across carriers and devices, leading to inconsistent user experiences. Additionally, it requires a stable internet connection, which may not always be available.
Updated : June 3, 2025
Dharmik Joshi is a dedicated content writer with a focus on business communication solutions and omnichannel communication platforms. His strength lies in simplifying complex concepts and crafting engaging narratives that appeal to a broad audience. Dharmik’s passion for clear communication makes him a trusted voice in the communication technology space.