[Updated] Verizon is slowly activating Advanced Messaging (RCS) on Samsung devices running One UI 3.0

New updates are being added at the bottom of this story…

Original story (published on January 09, 2021) follows:

Google’s implementation of the Rich Communication Services (RCS) was launched a couple of years back with a promise to revolutionize SMS messaging which to be honest has become pretty outdated by today’s standards.

Regular SMS lack support for important features like read receipts, typing indicators, group messaging, sending videos and so on. They just seem too basic to most users’ liking.

With RCS though, people’s perspectives about SMS texts are set to change. The technology aims to bring several standard features that most are accustomed to on chat apps like WhatsApp and Telegram to SMS apps like Google Messages.

However, it is not unsafe to say that the ride to RCS has been a bumpy one. It’s been years since launch and many carriers are yet to enable proper support for the technology on many devices across the globe.

For example, RCS was only recently rolled out for Android devices in India. Users also keep bumping into a string of issues like for example we highlighted in the past how OnePlus users are having a hard time with the technology.

And there recently have been several complaints doing rounds from Samsung users on Verizon pertaining to the unavailability of RCS on their phones.

I have the exact same experience. Reading things online it sounds like it works with other carriers. According to Verizon advancd messaging page, they only support the S9 and S9+ for advanced messaging. Question for Verizon is when will this be enabled more broadly since they approved the one ui update with thus feature.
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Nonetheless, there is now some good news. Verizon customer support responded on the official Verizon forums today saying that they are rolling out RCS for Samsung devices with a ‘phased approach’.

This could mean that devices will receive an update either in the form of a system update or through the Samsung Messages app.

Support also mentioned Verizon Message+ as a temporary alternative till the update rolls out which can be downloaded from here.

Advanced messaging verizon was just turned on. Tried this morning hitting chat settings and turning on advanced messaging since after andrpid 11 and one ui 3.0 was updated on my note20ultra 5g. And to my surprise everything was turned on and chat enabled….bout time
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Also noteworthy is the fact that several Samsung devices on Verizon have already got RCS turned on for them a while back. This only proves that Verizon and Samsung are actively working to bring the technology to your device as soon as possible.

For now, there is not much to do apart from waiting for an update from Verizon that will enable RCS on your Samsung device, fingers crossed.

IST 10:10 am: Verizon recently announced that customers using its Message+ app will get complete RCS access by the end of the year whereas the Google Messages app will come preinstalled on all Verizon devices starting next year.

Customers using Verizon’s Message+ app will also get full access to RCS capabilities by the end of the year, including embedded high-res pictures and videos, real-time conversation notifications, animated GIFs and more.
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IST 11:30 am: Recent reports from the Verizon community indicate that the wireless carrier might have enabled Advanced Messaging (RCS) support on its Galaxy Note and Galaxy Note+ units. More details here.

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