Google Messages RCS Issue Hits New Samsung Phones

Some Android Police readers and Reddit users are running into a Google Messages RCS issue after switching to a new Samsung phone, according to Android Police. RCS messaging is failing to connect for a number of Samsung device owners, though it’s unclear exactly how widespread the problem is. Users have been describing the issue on Reddit, and Android Authority also picked up on the reports.

It’s not affecting every Samsung device owner

One user in the Reddit thread described the problem after upgrading from a Galaxy Z Fold 6 to a Galaxy Z Fold 8. Some commenters suggested a possible fix: skip Samsung’s Smart Switch tool when setting up the new phone. A more drastic option some have tried is wiping the new device entirely and starting fresh to see if RCS connects properly afterward.

Google’s own support team responded in that Reddit thread, saying Smart Switch may have transferred some “corrupted cache files.” The team’s suggested fix was to try “updating to the latest version of Google Messages first. After that, toggle RCS off, clear data for Carrier Services, restart your phone, and toggle RCS back on.” According to Android Police, the Reddit user who tried these steps did not manage to resolve the issue.

Android Police recommends a more manual approach for anyone relying on RCS: rather than using Smart Switch, set up the new phone from scratch and transfer content over manually. That takes more time, but it should leave RCS in better shape. Some users also suggest disabling RCS on the old phone first, then turning it back on once the new phone is fully set up. Android Police’s Timi Cantisano compared the situation to the iMessage problem some people ran into when switching from an iPhone to Android, where standard text messages wouldn’t arrive on the new device until iMessage was deactivated on the old one.

Android Police’s overall advice is to be cautious with RCS when switching phones, deactivating it beforehand, and that guidance applies broadly, not just to Samsung devices. The timing is notable since new Pixel 11 phones are currently available for preorder, and Android Police says it wouldn’t want buyers to run into messaging problems right out of the box. The outlet, which has spent hands-on time with the new Pixel 11 line, says the phone lives up to expectations, though it suggests Pixel 10 owners may be fine sticking with what they already have.