Troubleshooting Google Chat (RCS) Messaging Issues on Android

Some Noticeable Information

RCS can have issues such as disconnections and failure to connect, similar to SMS. Troubleshooting steps can help resolve these problems.

To resolve any problems, follow these steps to check the status of your RCS connection on your Android phone and try various options in a specific order. If none of the solutions work, you have the option to disable RCS on both your phone and the server side temporarily. It's worth noting that there is a restriction on the number of reconnection attempts allowed per day, but you can enable RCS again at a later time if needed.

RCS is intended to replace SMS, but it has its flaws. Users may encounter various problems with the service, such as disconnections and connection failures. Luckily, there are solutions to troubleshoot issues with Google Messages. To utilize RCS, an Android phone and the Google Messages app are required. RCS Chats, previously known as "Google Chat" or "Chat Features," offer features like read receipts, typing indicators, and improved media sharing. However, like iMessage, transitioning between devices can lead to complications.

Ultimately, there are various approaches you can experiment with. If none of those prove effective, the extreme measure would involve completely disconnecting RCS/Google Chat on the server side. However, let's not jump to conclusions just yet. First, let's examine the steps to determine the status of RCS on your device.

How to Check the RCS Connection Status on Android

If you're experiencing difficulties in sending messages and you're aware that your phone has RCS, it's advisable to begin by checking the status of RCS chat features on your device.

To verify the connection of RCS, start by opening the Messages app. Then, tap on your profile photo located in the top right corner and select "Messages Settings" from the menu.

In the Settings menu, tap on "RCS Chats."

If the Status shows "Connected" for your SIM card, then you're good to go. If you're having issues with messaging, then it's likely another issue.

If it's not connected, however, then it's time to start troubleshooting. Stay in this menu, though—it's where you'll start.

Option One: Toggle Chat Features and Restart

Although referred to as "options," the following solutions are intended to be implemented in a specific sequence. They are presented in ascending order of difficulty and impact, starting with the first choice.

In the Chat features menu, disable the "Enable chat features" toggle. Afterward, restart your phone by long pressing the power button and selecting "Restart."

After the device restarts, follow the provided instructions to navigate to the RCS Chats menu again. Tap on the toggle for "Turn On RCS Chats" and check if it establishes a connection. Hopefully, this will resolve the issue. However, if it doesn't, please continue reading.

Option Two: Clear Storage for Messages

If you have been using Android for a considerable amount of time, chances are that you have performed the routine of clearing cache. And this time, it is no exception. Well, perhaps there is a slight difference—you have to enable Airplane Mode beforehand.

Pull down the notification bar to reveal the Quick Settings menu. Locate the Airplane Mode button (you may need to swipe through multiple pages of the menu to locate it). Bear in mind that activating this feature will disable all network connections, including Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and mobile data, at the very minimum.

Tap the gear icon to jump into the Settings menu.

Now go to the "Apps" section (or some variation of this—each Android manufacturer out there will have some version of this option) and find the Messages app.

Open the storage submenu and tap "Clear Data" or "Clear Storage."

Disable Airplane Mode, restart your phone, and then verify the RCS status using the aforementioned method. If it successfully reconnects, congratulations—you're all set. If not, it's time to persist in troubleshooting.

Option Three: Clear Storage for Carrier Services

Same song, different dance. Once again, go ahead and enable Airplane Mode.

From there, open the Settings menu.

Go to the "Apps" section again, and this time find "Carrier Services." If you don't see it, tap the three dots in the upper right corner, and select "Show system."

Open the storage submenu and tap "Clear Data" or "Clear Storage."

Disable Airplane Mode, restart your phone, and then recheck the RCS status using the method specified above. If it reconnects, you're all set. If not, we shall need to continue investigating. Moving forward, the available options become progressively more forceful.

Option Four: Reset Network Options

At this stage, our desperation is growing. Resetting Network options will completely erase all of your wireless connections including Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and mobile data. Consequently, you will have to go through the process of setting everything up as if it's your first time, which can be quite frustrating. However, if it resolves your RCS problems, perhaps it is worth considering?

Begin by returning to the Settings menu.

Use the search bar to find the "Reset Network Settings" menu.

A warning will pop up to let you know that this will erase all network settings—a necessary evil. Tap the "Reset Network Settings" button.

After completing this task, you should allocate a few minutes to configure your Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connections. However, before proceeding, return to the Messages app and verify the status of RCS. Is it successfully connected? Great! If not, unfortunately, it may be necessary to resort to more drastic measures for the time being.

Nuclear Option: Disable RCS Completely

If none of the aforementioned options have proven effective, it is advisable to temporarily discontinue the usage of RCS. It can be incredibly frustrating to have your messages seemingly disappear, but fortunately, you can resort to utilizing SMS as an alternative for now. This transition is a simple two-step process that does not require significant effort. Therefore, bid farewell to RCS for the time being and express gratitude for its services by allowing it to rest.

In order to disable RCS on your phone, you will need to revert back to option one. Open the Messages app and tap on the profile icon located in the upper right corner. From there, choose "Messages Settings."

Next, tap on "RCS Chats."

Tap the toggle beside "Turn On RCS Chats." This will disable RCS on your phone.

However, this solution may not always resolve the problem entirely. While you may regain the ability to send SMS messages, there is a likelihood that incoming messages will still be delivered through RCS. Consequently, you will not receive these messages and will need to deactivate RCS on the server side as well.

To start, navigate to Google's Disable Chat page and scroll down to the bottom. Enter your phone number, and Google will send a six-digit verification code. Input this code into the designated box.

After verifying your phone number, Chat/RCS should be completely disabled so you can at least send and receive messages over SMS/MMS.

Keep Trying to Re-enable Chat Features if You Still Want to Use RCS

Fortunately, permanently disabling RCS doesn't mean you're stuck with it forever. You have the flexibility to re-enable it whenever you choose. While there isn't a precise timeline to follow, it's advisable to wait for a minimum of 24 hours before attempting to reactivate it after opting for the extreme approach. This waiting period allows for a complete system reset.

Hopefully, it will immediately reconnect on the initial attempt. However, if that is not the case, you can persistently enable and disable it until it eventually reconnects, even if it requires several days. Just bear in mind that there is a daily limit to the number of reconnection attempts that Messages will make to RCS, so use the toggle sparingly.

Editor's P/S

As a Gen Z fan, I rely heavily on messaging apps to stay connected with my friends and family. RCS (Rich Communication Services) has been a game-changer for Android users, offering features like read receipts, typing indicators, and improved media sharing. However, it's not without its flaws. Troubleshooting Google Chat (RCS) messaging issues on Android can be a frustrating experience, but there are some effective solutions to try.

One common issue is disconnections and failure to connect. To resolve this, it's important to check the status of your RCS connection on your Android phone and try various options in a specific order. If none of the solutions work, you can temporarily disable RCS on both your phone and the server side. It's worth noting that there is a restriction on the number of reconnection attempts allowed per day, so use this option wisely.