Using RCS with Google Messages on GrapheneOS

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.

PurplePickleMonster

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

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).

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!

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. :)

yuply

Data point on how i got RCS working on pixel 9a, mint mobile. I was connected to wifi and a vpn (forgot to turn it off, but dont think that matters)

Google play store installed with permissions = Network, Notifications
Google play services installed with permissions = Network, Notifications, SMS
Deregistered/turned off rcs from google website (the 'without previous device' section, where you enter number and they text you to disable)
Uninstall your existing google messages app if its installed
From aurora store installed manual download of google messages version = 242499063
Google messages permissions = camera, contacts, microphone, network, notifications, phone, photos and videos, sms
Then opened google messages, went to message settings -> rcs chats -> turn on rcs chats (enable it), then it connected right away. Tested and messages are sending and receiving as RCS when 1 to 1 messaging. Only thing is in a group chat rcs doesnt seem to work right.

DirtyDan

yuply

Tested and messages are sending and receiving as RCS when 1 to 1 messaging. Only thing is in a group chat rcs doesnt seem to work right.

Same here. None of my group messages go through RCS for me, but 1:1 messages seem to be working fine.

pauljalva

yuply What version of GrapheneOS are you using for this?

IksNorTen

I guess this suggestion was already proposed before but isn't it possible for GrapheneOS team to develop its own SMS app based/compatible with Google RCS?

Jamitz44085

IksNorTen they haven't released the api for the RCS functions if I remember correctly

michael07

Anyone been able to get RCS chats to work in a user account? I was able to get Google messages and RCS chats to fully function in my owner account but when I tried the exact same thing in the user account it would not work. I then tried deleting the app in the owner account and many other things above but nothing has worked so far. I apologize if this answer is somewhere above but I do not see it anywhere.

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