Using RCS with Google Messages on GrapheneOS

samsepi0l

I know SMS is fundamentally insecure. I used QKSMS for a while but it seems to be unmaintained. I mostly use Signal with my surrounding, but I still need SMS for some people. RCS seems the way to go, but what does Google Messages needs for RCS to be able to work ? Does Google Play Services needs SMS/Phone/File Storage permission ? Do I need to install Carrier Services ?

It seems I'm always stuck in the "Setting up your phone number" in Google Messages, idk if it's related to Google Message as most people seems to have the same problem or if it's because I miss some thins I didn't check (e.g. Google Play Services perms)

mylesofsmiles

samsepi0l Hi! I was in this exact same predicament earlier this week. What I ended up doing to make Google Messages work as native with RCS was: 1) enabled the three core services from "Apps" (Play Services, Play Services Framework and Google Play Store). 2) Downloaded Google Messages and Carrier Services from Google Play Store (should work from Aurora Store too if you don't want Google Play Store). 3) As for permissions, Messages has been using Contacts, Music and audio, Phone, Photos and videos and SMS. The rest I have disabled. And as for Carrier Services I only have Network and Sensors enabled. The experience on Google Messages is far superior to the other FOSS alternatives for now so just roll with it and you won't be disappointed.

Pocketstar

samsepi0l
I also don't like the thought of Pegasus spyware, any stranger sending me messages to my phone directly and Google collecting metadata, so I bought a separate MiFi-router (a mobile router) for that.
It has a web-based interface for recieving SMS messages. (You connect to the device through the web browser)
I kinda use it as a pager for carrier-related messages.
I use Molly-FOSS for for chats and a web-based E-Mail client for recieving E-Mail.
I am even considering switching to Briar messenger instead of Molly.

Fhggyy5767

mylesofsmiles When you refer to "Carrier Services" are you referring to "CarrierDefaultApp"?

eatinggrumble84

mylesofsmiles

Do you have Network enabled for Messages? Does RCS chat work without network?

missing-root

mylesofsmiles thats a lot of permissions...

samsepi0l

Do you have allowed other permissions on Google Play Services ?

mylesofsmiles

samsepi0l Yeah, I don't know what the minimums required are because I had to enable some extra permissions for my Pixel Watch to work. The ones Google Play Services are using on my device are: Call logs, Contacts, Nearby devices, Phone and SMS. The rest are either disabled or not used.

samsepi0l

mylesofsmiles Ok thanks for that !

mylesofsmiles

Fhggyy5767 No, the Carrier Services app: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.google.android.ims&hl=en_US&gl=US

Fhggyy5767

mylesofsmiles Thank you.

shorty

Allowing Play services Phone + SMS permission is all I needed to activate/verify my phone number and make sure you have the Play Store installed. The Carrier Services app shouldn't be required and it is not clear whether it even works on GrapheneOS since it is usually a privileged app on stock OS. The activation process may take some time if it's your first time.

After Chat features were ready, I revoked the Phone and SMS permissions from Play services and it seems to continue to work, so it may only be needed for the initial activation process. However, I have not tested this long enough to confirm if it will continue to work this way.

mylesofsmiles

shorty Which carrier are you on? I know T-Mobile requires it because my number would never register under chat features until installing Carrier Services. It is my understanding that some carriers rely on it for verification and others don't.

samsepi0l

mylesofsmiles It's a french carrier lol

[deleted]

mylesofsmiles I know this is off topic for this thread. I dont want to clutter the forum with repeat questions. Are you able to get wifi calling to work? I have tmobile as well. I set up wifi calling on stock and then installed graphene but it doesnt work. Just wondering if carrier services could be a requirement for that as well.

mylesofsmiles

samsepi0l In that case it is in fact carrier dependent on whether you need Carrier Services or not then. The terms for Jibe say it could be and/or but don't give specific examples.

mylesofsmiles

eatinggrumble84 I have Network set to Allow but it doesn't seem to be using it. The only permissions it has accessed in the past 24 hours are: Contacts, Music and Audio, Phone, Photos and Videos and SMS. All of those seem like reasonable requests to me.

eatinggrumble84

mylesofsmiles

I don't think the Network permission reports a "last used" subheader. It might actually be using the network.

Orphee

Reading Google FAQ, RCS works over network, so you must enable it.

WickedMainah

Google Messages keeps saying Play services requires Files and Media access whenever I start typing a message. I gave it every permission I could and it still throws this message. Not sure what the issue is.

AtriumCompound

You can enable storage scopes to make it think it has files and media access and stop displaying the message. I only had to give phone and SMS permission to play services for activation to work, which is redundant anyway since google messages requires those permissions.

f13a-6c3a

Just want to provide another data point that Google Messages RCS works without Carrier Services on Verizon. I have all 3 G installed and Messages having Contacts, Network, Notifications, Phone, and SMS permission; Google Play services has Call logs, Contacts, Network, Phone, and SMS. That's all needed for RCS to eventually activate.
When I enabled RCS, the app was stuck on "Verifying your number" or similar message for over 2 days but eventually I got a message that chat feature has been enabled