RCS Settings

Learn when and how to configure RCS (Rich Communication Services) settings on your Android device for optimal SMS delivery with WhatSnap.

RCS (Rich Communication Services) is an enhanced messaging protocol available on Android devices. This guide explains when you should enable or disable RCS for optimal SMS delivery with WhatSnap.

What is RCS? RCS is Google's upgrade to traditional SMS, offering features like read receipts, typing indicators, high-quality media, and group chats. However, for WhatSnap SMS gateway purposes, RCS should typically be disabled unless you're using specific configurations like eSIMs over WiFi.

When to Disable RCS (Most Common)

Recommended: Turn RCS OFF

For most WhatSnap SMS setups, you should disable RCS.

Why Disable RCS:

  • ✅ Better compatibility with traditional SMS delivery

  • ✅ More reliable message routing through WhatSnap

  • ✅ Avoids potential conflicts with gateway app

  • ✅ Ensures messages send as standard SMS (what most businesses need)

  • ✅ Prevents carrier-specific RCS limitations

When to Disable:

  • Using local physical SIM card for domestic messaging

  • Sending standard SMS through WhatSnap

  • Experiencing message delivery issues

  • Running database reactivation campaigns

  • Using multiple devices with different SIM types

Default Recommendation: Disable RCS on your WhatSnap SMS devices unless you have a specific reason to enable it (see below).

When to Enable RCS

Required: Turn RCS ON

RCS must be enabled in these specific scenarios:

1. Using eSIM from Another Country (Over WiFi)

Scenario:

  • You have an eSIM from a different country (e.g., Australian eSIM while physically in the US)

  • Sending SMS over WiFi (no local cellular connection)

  • Need to send SMS internationally using the eSIM number

Why RCS is Required:

  • eSIMs sending over WiFi need RCS to establish carrier connection

  • Without RCS, messages will fail to send

  • RCS enables "SMS over IP" functionality

Example Use Cases:

  • Australian business using Australian eSIM from overseas

  • US company using US eSIM while team is international

  • Multi-country operations with centralized SMS from one location

Setup:

  1. Install eSIM on Android device

  2. Connect to WiFi (may or may not have local SIM)

  3. Enable RCS (instructions below)

  4. Verify eSIM number can send SMS over WiFi

  5. Connect to WhatSnap

2. Dual-SIM Configuration with eSIM

Scenario:

  • Using both physical SIM and eSIM in same device

  • Want to send from eSIM but device has local physical SIM

Why Enable:

  • Ensures eSIM can properly route messages

  • Allows carrier verification over WiFi/data

3. Carrier Specifically Requires RCS

Scenario:

  • Some carriers (rare) require RCS for their SMS service

  • Carrier documentation states RCS mandatory

Check with Carrier:

  • Review carrier's technical requirements

  • Contact carrier support if uncertain

How to Turn RCS On or Off

On Google Messages (Most Android Devices)

1

Open Google Messages App

  1. Find and open the Messages app on your Android device

  2. This is usually the default messaging app (blue icon with white chat bubble)

2

Access Message Settings

  1. Tap your profile icon or menu icon (usually top right corner)

  2. Select Messages settings or Settings

3

Find RCS Settings

  1. Look for "RCS chats" or "Chat features"

  2. Tap on it to open RCS configuration

4

Toggle RCS On or Off

To Disable RCS (Recommended for most users):

  1. Find the toggle for "Enable chat features" or "RCS chats"

  2. Toggle it OFF (gray/disabled)

  3. Confirmation may appear - confirm you want to turn off

To Enable RCS (Only if required for eSIM/WiFi):

  1. Toggle "Enable chat features" to ON (blue/enabled)

  2. Wait for RCS to activate (may take 30 seconds to a few minutes)

  3. Status should change to "Connected" or "Active"

5

Verify Setting

  1. Return to the RCS settings screen

  2. Check status:

    • OFF: "Chat features are unavailable" or similar

    • ON: "Connected" or "Chat features are on"

Alternative Method via Device Settings

If you can't find RCS settings in Messages app:

  1. Open Settings on your Android device

  2. Go to Apps → Messages (or Google Messages)

  3. Tap Mobile data & Wi-Fi

  4. Look for "Chat features" or "RCS" setting

  5. Toggle on or off as needed

Samsung Devices

Samsung Messages app may have slightly different path:

  1. Open Samsung Messages app

  2. Tap three dots menu (⋮) → Settings

  3. Tap Chat settings

  4. Toggle "Rich Communication" on or off

Other Manufacturers

If using manufacturer's custom messaging app (Xiaomi, Huawei, etc.):

  1. Check app settings for "RCS", "Rich messaging", or "Chat features"

  2. If not found, install Google Messages from Play Store

  3. Use Google Messages for WhatSnap (set as default if needed)

Troubleshooting RCS

Issue: RCS Won't Activate (When You Need It Enabled)

Symptoms:

  • Toggled RCS ON but status shows "Setting up..." indefinitely

  • Status shows "Connection failed" or "Unable to activate"

Solutions:

1. Check Internet Connection

RCS requires internet (WiFi or mobile data) to activate:

  1. Verify internet connection works (open browser, load website)

  2. Try switching from WiFi to mobile data (or vice versa)

  3. Restart your router if on WiFi

  4. Move to area with better signal if on mobile data

2. Verify Phone Number

RCS needs to verify your phone number:

  1. Ensure SIM card is properly inserted and active

  2. Check you can send/receive regular SMS

  3. Verify carrier supports RCS (not all do)

  4. Contact carrier if verification fails repeatedly

3. Clear Messages App Data

Reset the Messages app to retry RCS activation:

  1. Settings → Apps → Messages

  2. Tap Storage

  3. Tap Clear cache (try this first)

  4. If still not working: Clear data (will reset app - not your messages)

  5. Reopen Messages app

  6. Try enabling RCS again

Note: Clearing app data will reset Messages app preferences but won't delete your actual message history (stored separately by Android).

4. Update Messages App

Ensure you have the latest version:

  1. Open Google Play Store

  2. Search for "Messages" or "Google Messages"

  3. If update available, tap Update

  4. After update, retry enabling RCS

5. Wait 24-48 Hours

Sometimes RCS activation takes time:

  1. Toggle RCS ON

  2. Leave it in "Setting up" state

  3. Keep device connected to internet

  4. Check back in 24-48 hours

  5. May activate automatically

6. Carrier Doesn't Support RCS

Not all carriers support RCS:

  1. Check carrier's website for RCS support

  2. Contact carrier support to verify

  3. If carrier doesn't support RCS:

    • You can't use RCS

    • You may not be able to use eSIM over WiFi for SMS

    • Consider different carrier or use physical SIM locally

Issue: RCS Keeps Turning Back On

Symptoms:

  • Disabled RCS but it re-enables automatically

  • Can't keep RCS turned off

Solutions:

1. Disable Auto-Update for Messages

App updates may reset RCS settings:

  1. Open Google Play Store

  2. Search for Messages app

  3. Tap the app

  4. Tap ⋮ (three dots, top right)

  5. Uncheck "Enable auto-update"

2. Use Different Messaging App

If Google Messages forces RCS:

  1. Download alternative SMS app (e.g., Textra, Pulse SMS)

  2. Set as default SMS app

  3. Use that app instead of Google Messages

  4. Configure WhatSnap to work with your chosen app

3. Carrier Auto-Provisioning

Some carriers automatically enable RCS:

  1. Contact carrier support

  2. Ask to disable RCS auto-provisioning on your account

  3. May not be possible with all carriers

Issue: Messages Not Sending After Changing RCS Setting

Symptoms:

  • Changed RCS setting (on or off)

  • Now messages fail to send

Solutions:

  1. Restart Device:

    • Power off completely

    • Wait 30 seconds

    • Power on

    • Wait for network connection

    • Retry sending

  2. Restart WhatSnap Gateway:

    • Open WhatSnap Gateway app

    • Stop the gateway

    • Wait 10 seconds

    • Start the gateway

    • Verify "Connected" status

  3. Test with Native Messages App:

    • Open native Messages app

    • Try sending regular SMS

    • If fails → carrier/SIM issue

    • If works → WhatSnap Gateway issue (restart app)

  4. Toggle RCS Opposite Direction:

    • If you disabled RCS and messages stopped:

      • Try enabling RCS temporarily

      • Test message sending

      • If works, you may need RCS for your configuration

    • If you enabled RCS and messages stopped:

      • Try disabling RCS

      • Test message sending

RCS Settings by Use Case

Quick Reference Guide

Your Setup
RCS Setting
Reason

Local physical SIM, domestic messaging

OFF

Standard SMS, no RCS needed

Local physical SIM, international messaging

OFF

SMS works without RCS

Local eSIM, domestic messaging

OFF (try first)

Usually works without RCS

Foreign eSIM over WiFi

ON (required)

Needs RCS for SMS over IP

Dual-SIM (physical + eSIM)

Try OFF first

Enable only if eSIM won't send

Multiple SIM cards, all local

OFF

Consistency across devices

Database reactivation campaigns

OFF

Most reliable for mass SMS

Having delivery issues

Toggle it

Try opposite setting to debug

Best Practices

For Standard WhatSnap SMS Setup (Most Users)

Recommended Configuration:

  1. ✅ Disable RCS in Google Messages

  2. ✅ Keep regular SMS/MMS enabled

  3. ✅ Use Google Messages as default app (or keep your preferred app)

  4. ✅ Configure WhatSnap Gateway with RCS disabled

Why This Works Best:

  • Maximum compatibility

  • Fewer variables for troubleshooting

  • Standard SMS is universally supported

  • Better for business/CRM messaging

For eSIM Over WiFi Setup (Advanced Users)

Required Configuration:

  1. ✅ Enable RCS in Google Messages

  2. ✅ Wait for RCS to show "Connected" status

  3. ✅ Test SMS sending from eSIM number

  4. ✅ Configure WhatSnap Gateway after RCS is active

Why RCS is Required:

  • eSIM needs carrier verification over internet

  • RCS provides SMS-over-IP capability

  • Without RCS, eSIM SMS won't work over WiFi

Testing Your Configuration

After changing RCS settings, test your setup:

Test Checklist

  1. Send Test SMS via Native App:

    • Open Messages app

    • Send SMS to your personal number

    • Verify delivery

    • ✅ If works → Configuration is correct

  2. Send Test SMS via WhatSnap:

    • Open GoHighLevel

    • Send message to test contact

    • Check delivery on recipient device

    • ✅ If works → WhatSnap configured correctly

  3. Receive Test SMS:

    • Have someone text your device

    • Check message arrives in Messages app

    • Check message syncs to GoHighLevel

    • ✅ If syncs → RCS setting is compatible

  4. Monitor for 24 Hours:

    • Send/receive several messages

    • Check for any delivery delays or failures

    • ✅ If consistent delivery → Setting is optimal

Additional Resources

Official Google RCS Documentation:

Related WhatSnap Guides:

Summary

Default Recommendation: RCS OFF

  • Turn RCS OFF for most WhatSnap SMS setups

  • Provides best compatibility and reliability

  • Simplifies troubleshooting

Exception: RCS ON for eSIM Over WiFi

  • Must enable RCS when using eSIM from another country over WiFi

  • Required for SMS-over-IP functionality

  • Test thoroughly after enabling

When in Doubt:

  • Start with RCS disabled

  • If messages won't send, try enabling RCS

  • Test thoroughly after any change

  • Contact support if issues persist

Quick Win: Most delivery issues related to RCS are resolved by simply disabling it. If you're having problems, turn RCS off first and test.

Need Help? Contact WhatSnap support at support@whatsnap.ai for assistance with RCS configuration for your specific setup.

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