Using RCS with Google Messages on GrapheneOS

new-graphene-user

Thank you Dan! It worked!!!!! One down, couple more things to sort out.
Thanks again

Designed1668

My individual 1:1 chats work now work with RCS. But, none of my group messages are working with RCS. I can only send and receive them as MMS. Sometimes they don't come through at all.

I've triple checked that all group members have RCS enabled and that it functions normally on their ends for their other groups that I'm not in. I've uninstalled google messages and reset RCS multiple times with the same results.

Is anyone else experiencing this? Anyone know how to fix it or at least what's causing it?

5rlyn

So here's where I'm at:

On my old Pixel 8, RCS "just worked." Significantly more problematic on my Pixel 9 Pro
Tried various methods discussed here...ADB device identifier, playing with permissions, etc. The only thing that allowed me to get connected was @DirtyDan's method of downloading an old version, allowing RCS to connect, and upgrading (I will say that I had to enable Restricted App or some such to allow me to set the app as my default SMS.
I seem to be able to message many users and most groups (not that I had many to begin with). There are however, several people who do not receive my RCS messages
The message reports "Sent" on my end...whether or not that's true, I don't know. However, the message recipient reports that they can see me "typing."
If I attempt to reply to a contact who can't receive my messages, I will be told "They may not be online," even if I just received a message from them.
I can receive RCS messages, see typing, and tell which of my contacts have RCS enabled. But it's a crap shoot as to who will be able to receive me (again, assuming the app is being truthful in it's Sent Message reports).
Happens regardless of VPN, WiFi, Data, etc.

5rlyn

Predefine8310 Just saw this. I'm on Mint Mobile.

MiniSota

DirtyDan Did you use your method on the main owner user and your personal space? Do you think it would also work in a private space?

DirtyDan

MiniSota from what I've tried and seen from others, RCS will only work on the Owner.

tRexDestroyer

How I got Google Messages to enable RCS:

I'm on a Pixel 6 Pro.
Some of these things may not have been necessary but I'll include everything.

Installed Carrier Servies from Aurora Store.
Downloaded an old version of Google Messages from APKPure(I installed version from 3/11/2025)
Put the phone on Airplane mode.
Cleared storage and cache from Play Store, Play Services, and Carrier Services(just in case).
Gave Play Store, Play Services, Carrier Services, and Google Messages all permissions.
After taking the phone off airplane mode, turned off wifi and vpn so that it's only on mobile data(I have T-mobile.)
Long pressed on Google Messages App to navigate to Permissions to give it all permissions (for SMS permission, it may ask you to allow Restricted Settings. You can access this in the top right corner of the Permissions menu).
Now I opened Google Messages and set it as my default SMS app. I navigated to settings then RCS chats and RCS toggle was on. I gave it maybe about a minute but no more than 3 while I looked through the menu and my messages. Then I looked again and RCS was Connected.

Conclusion:
I believe the most important factor is to use an old version of Google Messages as that is what the latest new posts outside of this megathread currently indicate. You can also download old versions of apps on Aurora Store.
Edit Also, some have said that giving Google Messages all permissions from the permissions menu -before- opening it was important.

PurplePickleMonster

tRexDestroyer This worked for me. Afterwards I was able to update to the latests messages and RCS is still working

techknowcase

After following the guides of:

tRexDestroyer
gheylien
DirtyDan
And others.

RCS is still stuck at "Trying to verify your phone number..." With rooted graphene on 8 pro. Even with all permissions for play services, carrier services and messages. Device identifiers set with app ops and verified with adb/aShell. Reboot in between each step with version 242499063 with cleared storage. If anyone has any other idea, I'm all ears!

tRexDestroyer

As a follow up,
I reverted back to "Setting Up..." status just a few days ago.
Today, I looked at @DirtyDan post from July 12 and installed the version mentioned there from the Aurora Store (Version 242499063).
(I'm logged into my Google Account on the phone)
When I opened up the app, it was on "Verifying..." then instantly switched to "Connecting...". So I restarted the phone as @DirtyDan instructed and when I checked again, it was Connected.
I even updated the app to latest version through Aurora Store and RCS is still connected.

In case it helps, I have all permissions enabled for Carrier Services, Play services, Play Store, and Google Messages(I used storage scopes and it still worked).

gheylien

I haven't been using the old version, but will probably switch back and block it from updating. There must have been a change recently because now I can receive RCS, but almost every message I send, especially if they aren't on Android, has to be resent as MMS/SMS. This just started on the 22nd I believe.

Dmbruley

Same. I installed a beta version from August of last year, and RCS instantly connected. I then let it update to the latest version. There's got to be some sort of broken functionality in setting it up with the newest version(s).

carcosa

techknowcase I will say that after getting it working as in my above post, it worked for a couple of months, then stopped again. Going through the various processes the second time hasn't gotten it working again. Starting to think that as long as I'm stuck on SMS, I should use an app I like better.

nandohyphen1

What are your thoughts on Google Messages on GOS security wise? I mean on one hand, its a google app. On the other hand, it contains no known trackers according to Aurora Store. Its the only texting app that's currently available with RCS, correct?

mysigh

nandohyphen1 apparently there's an app called "Smart Messages" that works; there was a reddit post of a user who mentioned their use of it on GrapheneOS.

Dmbruley

You'll have to decide what's more important: root or RCS. Google is actively blocking RCS on rooted devices. IMHO, just switching to GrapheneOS gave me the control of the software I'd always wanted, so now I don't feel the desire to go that route anymore.

Probably9857

Dmbruley

GrapheneOS does not require root. In fact, the project strongly discourages rooting, as it is a huge security risk.

Maybe you didn't mean root, but something like "alternative OS" instead?

nandohyphen1

mysigh interesting. I may look into that

billinmtl

mysigh I checked out the app on playstore and there is no mention of end to end encryption (e2ee) which is the real appeal of Google Messages at the moment.

Maybe encryption will be added at a later date

mysigh

nandohyphen1 lmk if it works lol

nandohyphen1

mysigh yeah it has lots of trackers according to Aurora Store. Mainly google, lol. So if I was to use RCS, I may as well just use google messages which claims to have no trackers. But for now I think I'll stay with SMS. Not comfortable with Google stuff and apps where google tracks me. ;) Maybe if they come out with a FOSS RCS messaging app...

mysigh

nandohyphen1 ah that's unfortunate. we can only hope for the best 😔

nandohyphen1

mysigh I just read that the only RCS messaging depends on Google (surprise! of course it does, lol). Personally I prefer my privacy and security over RCS. :)

« Previous Page Next Page »