Does your carrier support RCS? Probably yes, in fact

For years, Google has been promoting RCS as the new replacement for SMS, the current messaging standard. There are a number of reasons why RCS is better, including support for higher-resolution images and video, larger file sizes, notifications sent/received, and more. Of course, a standard doesn’t mean much if no one adopts it. Fortunately, the standard is slowly gaining popularity, and even Apple is adopting it with a few caveats. Of course, there’s another problem when it comes to RCS: just because a device supports RCS doesn’t guarantee broad feature compatibility with other devices that support RCS. Any company can adopt certain aspects of the standard while downplaying other features.

To ensure better interoperability, the GSMA uses something called the Universal Profile, which includes a set of RCS features that its partners can universally adopt, but it’s a slow process, to say the least. Below, we’ll take a look at the carriers that officially support RCS features, as well as those that are adopting the Universal Profile standard. Before we do that, let’s talk about Google Messages.

The reality is that many carriers only support some RCS features or have very limited device support out of the box. Even if a carrier somehow adds a universal profile, there may be some incompatibility issues with the customized RCS experience that Google promotes. If you want to get the most out of RCS in the way that Google intended, with the widest range of user support available, the easiest route is to use the Google Messages app on your Android device. The app essentially adds full RCS support over any carrier network, although you’ll have to use an app. Of course, almost every modern Android device comes with the app by default. Even if they don’t, most devices will be able to add the app via Google Play.

To try RCS, you need to make sure you are using Android Messages v5.3.076 or later. Unless your device is very old and you have neglected to update, this should not be a problem. You can also make sure your carrier services are running v32.0.283645144 or later. After updating, you will be asked to agree to some permissions and then RCS will be activated.

In the past, Verizon supported RCS through its Verizon Messages Plus app, but that service has since been shut down. While you can certainly use Google’s Messages app, there’s also support for Samsung’s Advanced Messaging. Essentially, this will let you send RCS messages to other Galaxy owners with a compatible device. These will mostly be newer and flagship devices, though similar support also exists in the Samsung Messages app.

Please note that Advanced Messaging does not directly use the Universal Profile, but it does support the following features:

• Send longer text messages (up to 8000 characters) and files
• Allows sharing of location information
• Adds write and read receipt indicators
• Adds support for groups of up to 100 users
• Support for higher image and video quality
• AI chatbot support from within your messaging app
• Wi-Fi messaging even when you don’t have a cellular connection

AT&T also uses the term Advanced Messaging to refer to RCS. Unlike Verizon, AT&T’s implementation works on any Android phone that supports RCS, although the phone will also need to have the Google Message app (or any future app with full functionality) with the Enable Chat Features option enabled.

AT&T promises similar feature support as Verizon, with the following features:

• Larger file transfer sizes than MMS
• Group chat for up to 100 people
• Read and delivery receipts and typing indicators
• Encrypting chat messages and file transfers between Google Messages users
• Wi-Fi messaging even when you don’t have a cellular connection

T-Mobile promises full support for RCS, also using the term Advanced Messaging. T-Mobile says any RCS-enabled device should work, though you’ll need to be connected to T-Mobile’s network or Wi-Fi with Wi-Fi calling enabled to use it. This solution relies on the Universal Profile and should work with any app that offers true RCS support, including the native Android app on most phones. Of course, if you want to use some of the extra Google-specific features, you’ll still want to download the Google Messages app.

T-Mobile officially supports the following RCS features:

• Writing and Read/Send Receipt Indicators
• Group chat with up to 100 users
• File sizes up to 100 MB
• Messages between different operators
• Messaging over Wi-Fi, even when you don’t have a cellular connection

What about other networks?

The three largest networks have the clearest RCS policies we could find, but there are certainly prepaid networks that officially support the feature, but most of them require you to use the Android Messages app, like Google Fi and Mint. In other words, these carriers only use Google’s apps, but at least they officially mention RCS. Some carriers are much harder to find RCS information on, like Ting. The good news is that any Android device with Android Messages will be able to use RCS, it’s just that the vast majority of prepaid carriers have limited or no RCS support for other third-party apps.