Update the Carrier Services App on Your Android Device to See If You Have RCS Messaging
Messaging RCS, the next iteration of text messaging that Google uses for its Android operating system, has been rolling out to Android smartphones since November. This does not mean that your phone on your carrier can use this improved version of SMS , but a new update to your Carrier Services app might unlock it for you.
As 9to5Google notes, a new update for your Carrier Services app opens up RCS messaging for even more carrier and device combinations, including various Google Pixels, Samsung Galaxies, and even some OnePlus Android devices. Verizon users seem to love this Carrier Services update too, so if you’re a Big Red fan, you’ll definitely want to know if this update is RCS messaging-ready.
To update the Carrier Services app to the latest version (32.0.283645144), simply open Google Play, tap the hamburger icon to open its menu, tap My Apps & Games and update Carrier Services (and any other apps. Are still in your queue ). If you are not sure if you have the latest version, you can check the app under Apps & notifications in Android settings. It’s simple.
After updating Carrier Services, make sure you have installed the Google Messages app if it is not already installed on your device and launch it. If you see the Better Messages pop-up, click Agree to begin the process of enabling RCS messaging. If you don’t, or are not sure if you have already enabled this feature, go to Settings> Chat Features , if the latter exists. Look for “Connected” in your “status”, which means you are using RCS messaging. You’re lucky.