RCS on Google Messages is failing to work for some users after they switch to a new Android phone, with the messaging protocol unable to connect to the servers required to enable its features. Google has confirmed it is aware of the problem and is working towards a resolution.
A Google spokesperson said: “We’re aware of this issue and are working with our carrier partners to get it fixed as soon as possible.”
What RCS adds to cross-platform messaging
Rich Communication Services (RCS) allows Android and iOS users to exchange messages with features that were previously limited to dedicated chat apps. This includes high-quality media, so users can share high-resolution photos and videos without the heavy compression associated with SMS and MMS.
RCS also supports far longer messages, ranging from 2,000 to 250,000 characters in a single message depending on the carrier and app, compared with the 160-character limit of SMS. Additional features include typing indicators, read receipts that confirm when a message has been delivered and read, more reliable group chats where participants can be added or removed, and cross-platform message reactions.
Messages from Android users still appear in a green bubble on iPhone. On encryption, Android-to-Android messages are end-to-end encrypted. Cross-platform end-to-end encryption requires the iOS user to run iOS 26.5 or newer, the latest version of Google Messages on Android, and RCS encryption support from the carriers. Users can check for encryption by looking for the lock icon next to the “Encrypted” status at the top of active threads.
The error affecting new Android handsets
The issue has been reported by users who moved to a newer device. In one example, a person who switched from a Galaxy Z Fold 6, where RCS was working, to a new Galaxy Z Fold 8 found that the RCS status remained stuck on “trying to connect” alongside error code 3100.
Error code 3100 indicates a problem connecting to the messaging servers, an issue that can occur when switching to a new phone. A workaround has circulated among affected users as a possible temporary fix while the underlying problem is addressed.
Apple began supporting RCS with iOS 18, which resolved the long-standing problem of photos and videos appearing heavily degraded when shared between iPhone and Android devices over SMS. With RCS functioning as intended, iOS and Android users can exchange messages and images on an equal footing.
Google has stated it is working with its carrier partners to fix the bug as soon as possible.
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Image: phonearena.com
