Using RCS with Google Messages on GrapheneOS

N7EKB

You shouldn't need app opps to get RCS to work

OfflinePuffin Yeah it wouldn't reactivate immediately so I gave it a couple days then reinstalled--worked immediately.

N7EKB Use ADB instead. You can download it here.

chenxiaolong I granted READ_DEVICE_IDENTIFIERS the old fashioned way via adb:

adb shell appops set com.google.android.gms READ_DEVICE_IDENTIFIERS allow

The state of the permission can be found with:

adb shell appops get com.google.android.gms | grep READ_DEVICE_IDENTIFIER

Previously, I had:

READ_DEVICE_IDENTIFIERS: deny; rejectTime=+2m21s554ms ago

After enabling the permission, I have:

READ_DEVICE_IDENTIFIERS: allow; time=+47s616ms ago; rejectTime=+7m4s585ms ago

83639273
I would like to add something that might be useful in case someone struggle to activate RCS on GrapheneOS.

First I deactivated RCS on the phone (or Stock OS) used previously.
I then unregistered on the Google website.

After,
I have made all the requirement about giving identifier to play service (do it the "old fashioned way ®" with ADB on PC) and the permission needed to play service,

BEFORE,

installation of Google messages app.

Then I have installed Google messages app.

Then I give it the right permission BEFORE starting it for the first time.

Then I started it and went to the RCS activation which was straightforward and activated instantly.

In any case if you missed something you need to deactivate RCS in messaging app, uninstall it, reinstall it, give permission before first starting it, then activate RCS and hope for the best.

I tried for one week in various order to make sure I don't tell bullshit. I have achieved 100% success with what I have explained before.

corner6948

Everyone keeps mentioning "Framework". Can someone please indulge me as to what app this is? I can't find it anywhere.

nycspicy

I did a search on this page and could not find any mention. Are you having issues getting RCS enabled?

Has anyone activated RCS on Mint Mobile? If so, did you need to grant READ_DEVICE_IDENTIFIERS or deal with any sort of carrier services app? It seems that each carrier has different requirements. I’d prefer not to grant that permission if at all possible.

Renewably3997 Mint mobile user here.
I've got RCS working, I do not recall having to grant that permission. Carrier Services is installed, though. Whether or not its actually necessary, I'm not sure.

5rlyn That’s great, thanks for the response. Did you grant, Phone, SMS permissions to both Play Services and Google Messenger? It does sound like those are universally required.

I did, yes. Although some of the Play Services permissions were already in place so I could get google wallet to work (for Ticketmaster events, not payments)

Anais what is this subscription?

I wanted to avoid using anything Google related, however, recently none of my immediate family members were getting any texts from me, or they would get my initial text (sms) but I would not get responses. After about two weeks, I am not sure but assuming it has to do with my family using iphones and all messages going through RCS to me (which on thier end would fail). I used the Graphene OS apps to install Google Play services, I did not sign into my Google account and even my G profile (from my computer) does not have my phone number. I have had 2 weeks now of using Google messages with RCS, not signed into Google and Google store is enabled but no permissions are set. Google Play services only has Network permission, everything else is denied. I would really love to NOT use Google Messages just to get RCS working, but for now this works. Also, just to confirm, when I got to my work computer and check my Google devices (my company I work for uses their services) and check My Devices, it only shows my home computer (Linux based) and no other devices. So to summarize, I have done:

Installed Google Play / Play services through Apps
Did not sign into Google account
Google Play store - all permissions denied
Google Play Services - Network is the only permission enabled.

Hopefully this helps someone. I DO NOT have Carrier Services installed and I am on Tmobile USA.

Renewably3997 5rlyn
I am on MM as well, but I cannot get my number to verify. I've tried with and without carrier services as well.

I made sure that Messages, G-Play Services, and G-Play Store had permissions to Network, Phone, and SMS. That did not work, so I added permissions for Contacts (with and without scopes), and with and without Call Logs for G-Play Services.

I tried all those combos with Carrier Services as well.

With every different iteration of adjusted permissions, I started without Messages uninstalled, then I set all permissions prior to downloading Messages, and then set Messages permissions before opening it and doing the rest of setup.

Still, my phone number will never verify. I did make sure RCS turned off before I stared (I have never activated it anyway).

Can one, or both of you, please confirm the exact permissions you have allowed for:
Messages
g-play services
g-play store
carrier services, if you're using it

Also, how quickly did your phone number verify?

Maybe I'll try one more time, then I'm just going to give up.

Thank you!

there is a RCS system file, what's it purpose? can I use the GOS default message app for RCS?. if not, is there any 3rd party msg app that can be used besides google msg app?

tomz
You cannot use the built in messaging app for RCS. I think the Google app is the only one at the moment, or at minimum it's the best and most feature rich.

jeffcodes

Google messages is the only RCS app that is Interoperable at the moment. Messages improve might be, but they haven't updated They're app since September 2023.

If your in Japan you should have an RCS app call Messages plus, I believe?

tomz

I think the system file hold config data

NetRunner88
That's is the only thing I haven't done. I'll have to go back through previous posts and remind myself which apps need it. Just G-Play Services, or Play Store too? I don't recall. I'll try sometime this weekend.

naibed NetRunner88 @Renewably3997 @5rlyn
For all you Mint Mobile folks, I was able to get mine to work as follows:

Use the this post (or thereabouts) to set READ_DEVICE_IDENTIFIERS for G-Play Services (com.google.android.gms).

Once that's done, set SMS and Phone permissions for G-Play Services and G-Play Store.
Download Messages, and set permissions for SMS and Phone, and whatever else makes sense for you.
Open Messages and go through setup.

At this point, RCS, was checked "on", but it wasn't really, so then I went into Settings > Apps and force closed and cleared cache for Messages, GP Services, GP Store.

Opened up Messages and check settings and it had the message that RCS was not available for this device. I restarted the device, and opened up Messages, and immediately received a text noting RCS was being setup, and it was done. RCS is now working, and confirmed with a message to an iPhone user on iOS 18.

I did NOT need Carrier Services.

Though I dislike using google services, I figured there is a balance here between encrypted message with too much metadata that can't be read, vs plain text chilling on MM (or other carrier's) systems.

Cheers.

naibed

You have to install the Google Play version of Google Messages.

Use the APN settings from your sim

Make sure you enter your phone number in corrsponding messages setting before you set up RCS.

jeffcodes I have been able to get this working without using ADB.

OfflinePuffin
Tried a lot of different ways, and until I did the ADB command to allow READ_DEVICE_IDENTIFIERS.
¯\(ツ)/¯

Just wanted to chime in here with the results of some experimentation. I have a Pixel 8a on Graphene with a US Mobile eSIM on their Verizon network. I managed to use the AppOps method to get RCS working, after much bashing of head against the wall. This comment was the approach I used (it required granting Play Services access to device identifiers). RCS disconnected after a few weeks.

I had seen some additional comments that suggested the device identifier requirement was Verizon-specific, so I switched my network to T-Mobile this morning (US Mobile allows you to switch between the big 3). RCS activated almost immediately without any problems and no access to device IDs.

Bottom line - if you're on Verizon it's a hassle right now without granting Play Services the READ_DEVICE_IDENTIFIER permission via AppOps or ADB, as I think others have discovered. T-Mobile seems to work okay without that permission (though Google Messages still requires the identifiers, it seems). Just thought I'd chime in with my two cents.

Got mines working yesterday. I think there's too many moving variables to be sure what was the definitive setup in getting it working. I used Messages from Aurora Store and tried the ADB fix but nothing changed initially. Played around and rebooted a few more times, then the results 'took' when I was tried clicking the verify my # button while connected to mobile data instead of wifi.

Will RCS work in private space?

If this helps anyone, I got RCS to work by turning off WiFi and using only cell data (I use T-Mobile btw), then make sure you turn off your vpn on your phone if you are using one. Then you can go to Message Settings > RCS Chats, and you'll see that it's connecting.

Other than that, I installed Play Services., Play Store, and Carrier Services with access to Network, SMS, and Phone enabled. I assume you don't need some of these permissions enabled but this worked for me.

OfflinePuffin We do have that app in Japan, but each person needs to have it installed, and even then it's not the most reliable.

grittytea Bottom line - if you're on Verizon it's a hassle right now without granting Play Services the READ_DEVICE_IDENTIFIER permission via AppOps or ADB

I dont think that's correct as I'm on Verizon and did not have to do that; I didnt have to do anything special - installed GOS on P9Pro XL, installed G dependencies, granted permissions it asked for, installed G messages - RCS activated immediately and has been on ever since (couple of months)

Hymix its called messages + right?

grittytea I have been using RCS on 8Pro Verizon with no issues. No special permissions, or work around needed. Only stops working when revoking network permission from messages app. Your situation seems to be isolated and nothing to do with Verizon.

Anyone know if you have to have Google Messages set up on the owner profile for it to work? I can only get close to have it working on the owner profile. The other user profiles do not seem to work at all for RCS support.

Yes, RCS needs to be on the owner profile.

has anyone had a decline in the ability to send messages via browser recently? I use the QR code to text via computer, but lately, I often have to unlock my phone and open the Messages app to send/receive new messages.

It's as if the connection breaks and I have to re-engage it.

OfflinePuffin and if I can get it working on the owner profile, will it then also work across profiles or only on the owner?

Bobby679

I am not sure, as when I tested it a long time ago it would not. I would suggest making sure Google messages is on both profiles and registing on the owner profile. Try to run it on the secondary profile...

Or you can register on the owner profile and then register Beepers RCS Bridge and push the beeper app to the secondary profile and log in. You would just have to turn off notification for Google messages on the owner profile