How To Enable RCS On Samsung Messages | Pick Your Phone’s Route

Enabling RCS on Samsung Messages works on Galaxy S25 models, but most US Samsung phones require Google Messages for RCS chat features.

One tap opens Chat Settings. Another finds them missing. RCS on Samsung Messages exists only on specific models in the US, yet most Galaxy owners searching for it hit a wall instead of a toggle. The working route depends entirely on which phone you’re holding. Samsung split its messaging strategy years ago, and that split still catches people who expect RCS to be one setting away in the native app. Whether you need Google Messages or can use the Samsung app itself comes down to two things: your device model and your carrier.

Enabling RCS On A Samsung Phone: The Route That Matches Your Model

Samsung removed native RCS support from its Messages app on most US Galaxy devices starting with the S24 launch in 2024. The company reinstated it for the Galaxy S25 series and the Galaxy Z Fold 6, but older models stay locked out unless you switch apps. The chart below shows exactly where your phone lands.

If your phone falls in the “No” column, the Samsung Messages app literally lacks the RCS framework in its US version. No hidden menu will fix it. The solution is straightforward: install Google Messages and set it as your default texting app.

How To Set Up RCS With Google Messages

Google Messages is the most reliable path to RCS on any Samsung phone sold in the US. It works across every Galaxy model and every carrier. Setup takes about two minutes, and once connected, RCS stays active until you switch apps or factory-reset the phone.

1. Open the Google Messages app. If it’s not installed, download it from the Play Store.
2. Tap your Profile picture or initial in the top-right corner.
3. Select Messages Settings from the menu.
4. Tap RCS chats. On some versions the label reads Chat features instead.
5. Toggle Turn on RCS chats to the On position. The switch turns blue when enabled.
6. If prompted, enter your phone number and tap Continue.
7. Wait for the Status line to change from “Setting up…” to Connected.

The setup process usually completes within a few minutes, though some carriers take up to 30 minutes. You’ll know it worked when you see “Connected” in the RCS chats settings and your message bubbles turn dark blue with “Chat” or “RCS” text inside the compose field. Swipe down from the status bar to check whether mobile data or Wi-Fi is on — RCS won’t connect without an active internet connection.

How To Set Up RCS On Samsung Messages

Owners of a Galaxy S25, Z Fold 6, or Z Flip 6 can use the native Samsung Messages app for RCS. Verizon supports RCS on these models, though other carriers may still route traffic differently. If the toggle doesn’t appear, check with your carrier before troubleshooting further.

1. Open the Messages app on your Samsung phone.
2. Tap the three vertical dots in the top-right corner of your conversation list.
3. Select Settings from the drop-down menu.
4. Tap Chat Settings inside the Settings panel.
5. Toggle Chat features to the On position.
6. If a splash screen appears with “Chat Features,” tap Agree, then Start to enroll.

The status indicator changes to “Connected” once enrollment completes. Messages sent to other RCS users show “Chat” in the compose field rather than “Text.” If the splash screen never appears and the Chat Settings screen stays blank, your device or carrier may not support Samsung Messages RCS despite the model being eligible.

Why Does RCS Status Show ‘Not Supported’ Or ‘Disabled By Carrier’?

Two error messages stop most RCS activations cold. “RCS chats are disabled by your carrier” means the carrier hasn’t turned on Advanced Messaging for your account or your device model. Retrying the toggle won’t help — contact the carrier’s support team and ask them to enable RCS for your line directly. “Not supported” on the Samsung Messages screen almost always means the app itself lacks the RCS framework on your model, which points back to Google Messages as the fix.

US Mobile subscribers on the “Dark Star” eSIM plan have reported RCS working on Samsung Messages for certain models. If you use this carrier and see no toggle, switching to the Dark Star profile specifically may activate it, though regular US Mobile SIMs route through Google Messages instead.

Is RCS End-To-End Encrypted On Samsung Messages?

RCS in Samsung Messages is not end-to-end encrypted when communicating with users on Google Messages. Google Messages supports end-to-end encryption for both parties, but only when both people use Google Messages. If you send an RCS message from Samsung Messages to someone on Google Messages, the message is encrypted in transit but not from end to end. Samsung has not announced plans to add cross-app encryption. For private conversations, Google Messages remains the safer bet.

Final Troubleshooting Sequence

If RCS still won’t connect after following the steps above, run this checklist in order before searching for more help:

• Confirm your phone runs Android 5.0 (Lollipop) or newer. RCS needs at least this version.
• Check that Wi-Fi or mobile data is active. RCS uses internet data, not the cellular voice network.
• Open Google Messages and tap RCS chats. If the status says “Connected,” RCS is working — the Samsung Messages app simply can’t display it on your model.
• Verify your phone number is correct in Messages Settings under RCS chats. A wrong or unverified number blocks connection.
• Contact your carrier and ask specifically whether they support RCS on your device model with your current messaging app. Some carriers provision RCS per IMEI rather than per account.
• If you recently switched from an iPhone, deregister iMessage first at selfsolve.apple.com before RCS activates on Android.

Once connected, RCS delivers read receipts, typing indicators, high-resolution photos, and group chat that works across Android devices without MMS compression. The one setting you toggle matters less than picking the app that carries it.