I just noticed that texts being sent from my phone are labeled “RCS Message”. What the heck is RCS messaging and what is it doing to my data plan? I’m still on My Choice plan with 1G
RCS is also known in Google speak as chat features. It’s, more or less, the Android equivalent of Apple’s iMessage.
RCS has the potential to use more cell data than MMS (standard picture and group messaging) but only if you are exchanging large attachments. Unlike MMS, RCS is capable of sending much higher resolution pictures and videos. When the phone is connected to WiFi, RCS won’t use cell data.
If you are still concerned about RCS using too much cell data, it’s possible to turn it off: How to turn off RCS chats. Your phone will then be relying on standard SMS (plain text)/MMS (picture and group) messaging.
Thank you Rolandh!
What would be useful is the ability to predict when my Google Messages app will send RCS to others with RCS-compatible apps.
The google messages app will display text message or rcs chat in the text box at the bottom before you start typing.
If you are concerned about receiving a large file over RCS you can limit the auto download size in google messages settings.
Sometimes when my daughter has her phone off and I attempt to send a message it fails. Eventually my phone notifies me that it failed and asks me if I want to resend as SMS/MMS. This is really annoying because sometime I don’t catch that the message didn’t send. I wish the phone would automatically switch to SMS/MMS for messages that didn’t go through via RCS.
@Scottathew said:
Sometimes when my daughter has her phone off and I attempt to send a message it fails. Eventually my phone notifies me that it failed and asks me if I want to resend as SMS/MMS. This is really annoying because sometime I don’t catch that the message didn’t send. I wish the phone would automatically switch to SMS/MMS for messages that didn’t go through via RCS.
I thought there was a setting to automatically resend as sms if rcs failed. I don’t get the chance to use rcs all that much since most of my contacts are on iOS.
@davenc said:
I thought there was a setting to automatically resend as sms if rcs failed.
Screenshot from my Messages RCS settings:
@cbwahlstrom THANK YOU!