Using RCS with Google Messages on GrapheneOS

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.

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

DeletedUser790

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!

Developer-Dude

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?

DeletedUser790

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

DeletedUser790

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?

mysigh

Developer-Dude 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.

Developer-Dude

mysigh interesting. I may look into that

mysigh

Developer-Dude lmk if it works lol

Developer-Dude

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

Developer-Dude ah that's unfortunate. we can only hope for the best 😔

Developer-Dude

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. :)

DeletedUser517

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

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.

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.

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?

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