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  • Carrier Services app required for Google Messages RCS?

Haven't been able to find much info about the Carrier Services app that's available in the Play Store. I'm trying to activate RCS with the Google Messages app, but it's stuck on "Setting up" and finally told me that it hit the max number of retries and to try again tomorrow. Sandboxed Play Services, Store, and GSF are all installed with the default permissions (Network) and Google Messages has Network, Phone, SMS, etc.

My carrier is Visible (Verizon) on a Pixel 8, if that matters. Everything else such as WiFi Calling, VoLTE, Visual Voicemail, etc. works fine. I've heard that the Carrier Services app is sometimes required for RCS. I'll probably just try it, but wanted some more info if possible before installing another Google app. Is it part of the compatibility layer / does it even do anything on GrapheneOS? I'm assuming on stock Android it gets all sorts of permissions.

    Installed Carrier Services and rebooted - nothing changed. Doesn't look like it does anything since the "Force Stop" and "Clear storage/cache" buttons are greyed out. Google Messages is still just stuck at "Setting up... / Trying to verify". I wonder if Carrier Services is required for Visible but just can't function on GOS. Not a big deal but RCS would be great to have. Or perhaps Google is just being dumb.

    4 days later

    Having the same issue on Pixel 7 Pro, I've tried every solution I've seen online to no avail.

    This is an ongoing issue please use the search tool there is a possible work around. I was experiencing this as well on same carrier before losing my device. Unable to test the proposed work around.

    Ninja4694 please report back if it works

        N3rdTek I have searched. Are you talking about the Reddit post with the old beta APK? That isn't something I was inclined to try but I might give it a go if there really is no other solution.

            ErnestThornhill I was hesitant to download an old APK like that, but it did work. Hopefully RCS continues to stay connected without having to downgrade.

            As to the original purpose of this thread regarding Carrier Services, it never did anything so I uninstalled it. I'm wondering if on stock Android it does some important functions, but doesn't work with the GOS compatibility layer, requiring this strange workaround?

                Ninja4694

                I am no expert, but do not think the issue is GOS related as I have had RCS working without any special apps or workarounds ? It appears that users on Stock Pixel OS also have the same issue

                Glad you got it working

                    Ninja4694 I am not had a chance to test this and it will take me some time to get around to flashing graphing, but you should be able to update the app after it is enabled. You may have to uninstall and install from an official source, or if you have app signing off, you may be able to install on top of it

                      3 months later

                      billinmtl as I have had RCS working without any special apps or workarounds

                      You have RCS working on Graphene? What phone do you have? What carrier? Do you have Google Play Store installed and signed in on your main profile?

                          hemlockiv I have RCS working on GrapheneOS. I have a Pixel 7a with sandboxed google services installed (the three apps). I am on Rogers Cellular in Canada. Just factory reset the phone this morning and installed everything on a fresh GrapheneOS - RCS is working without issue. I am currently not signed in, using Google Messages without signing in and RCS works - but all three play service apps are installed with network permissions and required permissions to run RCS