What is RCS messaging?
Rich Communications Services (RCS) messaging is an enhanced form of messaging. RCS offers an improved messaging experience, allows larger multimedia file transfer, and shows interactive notifications when messages are being written, delivered, and read.
RCS enables seamless messaging across Apple and Android devices over wireless and Wi-Fi networks. RCS messaging offers the following features:
- Group messaging
- Delivery and read receipts
- Message reactions
- Typing indicators
- High resolution photo/video sharing
- Location sharing
- Audio messages
Important Note:
RCS features are only enabled when both users in a conversation are RCS capable. If one or more users do not have RCS enabled or do not have a data connection, messages will be sent via SMS/MMS. Similarly, a group chat is RCS enabled only when all users in the group are RCS capable. If one of the users is not RCS enabled, the group will be created as SMS/MMS.
All SaskTel sold iPhones with iOS 18.4 or later will have RCS messaging enabled by default in Messages. Apple’s implementation of RCS is based on the industry’s standard. RCS messages aren’t end-to-end encrypted, which means they're not protected from a third-party reading them while they're sent between devices.
By using RCS messaging, you agree to the Google Privacy Policy, and Google Terms of Service.
RCS messaging requirements:
- A data balance or an active Wi-Fi connection
- An Android Phone or iPhone with iOS18.4 or later
Applicable Charges:
RCS messages are sent over a user’s data connection (i.e. cellular or Wi-Fi).
Standard data charges apply for all messages sent using RCS. Both you and the recipient must have devices and operating systems that support RCS and RCS enabled; otherwise, standard text, picture or video messaging will be used. If anyone in the conversation (sender or receiver) is not using RCS, messages will be sent via SMS or MMS on the cellular network instead of using wireless data or Wi-Fi.
How to turn RCS on or off
Android
- Open the Google Messages app.
- Select Menu.
- Select Messages settings.
- Select RCS chats
- Turn RCS chats on or off.
If you are not able to follow the steps above or the steps do not match what you see on your phone, you may need to update Google Messages.
Apple
- Open the Settings app.
- Select Apps.
- Select Messages.
- Select RCS Messaging
- Turn RCS Messaging on or off.
If you are not able to follow the steps above or the steps do not match what you see on your phone, you may need to update iOS.
Re-registering RCS after a phone number change
RCS is registered to a device's SIM, not the wireless phone number.
- If you change the SIM, both RCS and the phone number are registered automatically
- If you change only the phone number (and not the SIM), it can take a few weeks for servers to discover and register the new phone number
- Instead of waiting, you can re-register RCS immediately after a phone number change
Android
- Turn off RCS chats
- Open Google Messages
- Go to Menu > Message settings > RCS chats
- Turn RCS chats off
2. Clear local caches for the Carrier Services and Messages apps
- Open Settings
- Go to Apps > Show system apps > Carrier Services > Storage
- Clear data and cache
- Go to Apps > Messages > Storage
- Clear data and cache
3. Restart the device
- Power off, wait 10 seconds, then turn it on again
4. Turn on RCS chats.
- Open Google Messages
- Go to Menu > Message settings > RCS chats
- Turn RCS chats on
5. Watch for a text message (SMS) confirming the phone number.
- This can take up to an hour
If these steps don't match what you see on your device, you may need to update Google Messages.
If these steps don't work to update your phone number, you can try this:
- Open Settings
- Choose General management or Backup and reset > Reset > Reset network settings
Apple
- Turn off RCS Messaging.
- Open Settings
- Go to Apps > Messages > RCS Messaging
- Turn RCS Messaging off
2. Remove the old phone number from iMessage.
- Open Settings
- Go to Apps > Messages > Send & Receive
- Remove phone numbers and email addresses you no longer use
3. Restart the device.
4. Turn on RCS Messaging.
- Open Settings
- Go to Apps > Messages > RCS Messaging
- Turn RCS Messaging on
If these steps don't match what you see on your device, you may need to update the iOS.
If these steps don't work to update your phone number, you can try this:
- Open Settings
- Go to General > Transfer or Reset iPhone > Reset > Reset Network Settings
For more details, see the following support pages: