- A recurring Google Messages bug prevents some users from activating RCS, leaving devices stuck with SMS.
- Users have found that clearing the app cache and data for Google Messages and Carrier Services can fix the issue, as can reverting to a December 2024 version of Google Messages.
- We’ve contacted Google to learn more about the issue.
Google Messages has emerged as the primary medium of RCS messages on Android flagships, so it’s crucial that RCS messages work reliably through it. However, as users have discovered in the past week, that has not been the case. If you are setting up a new device and are trying to toggle RCS on, you’ll find that the app fails to connect to Google’s servers, a bug that seems to recur every few months and it’s not even restricted to new devices.
AndroidPolice spotted numerous complaints on the Google Messages subreddit, such as this and this, where users were frustrated that they couldn’t activate RCS on their phones. RCS texting works until it doesn’t suddenly, and their device gets stuck trying to register but fails. Consequently, the RCS status gets stuck on “Setting up” on their device, with no end in sight.