How to Block RCS Message Ads in Google and Samsung Messages
Google’s RCS Chat text messaging protocol is rapidly replacing the legacy SMS messages we’ve been accustomed to for decades. RCS provides many handy features on Android such as read receipts, real-time notifications when another person is typing, and end-to-end encryption . You know, what iMessage and WhatsApp users have been using for years.
RCS also appears to make it easier for companies to advertise to Android users, as companies can be “verified”, which gives them a number of privileges, including the ability to send out massive bursts of RCS advertising messages.
These ads are increasingly appearing in Google Messages and Samsung Messages, the default messaging apps for most Android phones in circulation, according to Android Police . So far, ads only appear to select users and only in certain regions, but it’s probably only a matter of time before more companies start using RCS messaging – after that, ads will become a regular part of Google and Samsung messaging for everyone.
Fortunately, there are several ways to keep annoying ads from cluttering up your Android messaging apps.
Method 1: Block Contacts and Conversations (Google Messages and Samsung Messages)
In some cases, you may unsubscribe from company advertisements after receiving them. The parameter should appear in the conversation itself. If you don’t see an option to unsubscribe, you can also block the business from your contacts menu in Google Messages.
- Open your company’s contact information in Google Messaging and click the Options tab.
- Select Block and Report Spam.
- Similarly, you can press and hold a conversation in your Google inbox to select it, then tap the three dots menu and select Block. This method will help when receiving spam from unverified sources and random numbers.
Samsung Messages allows you to add numbers to the Block List under Settings> Block Numbers & Messages> Block Numbers.
Method 2: disable RCS features (google posts)
Blocking ads and spam requires you to actually receive and interact with unwanted messages, but there is a way Google Message users can prevent them in the first place: turn off RCS.
Google Messages allows users to turn off RCS chat in the app’s settings menu:
- Open google messages
- Tap the three-dot menu icon and go to Settings> Chat Features.
- Disable the Enable Chat Features option, then click Disable in the pop-up window to confirm.
This will disable RCS-dependent features such as read receipts, real-time typing indicator, and enhanced message security from end-to-end encryption, but is (currently) the only way to prevent RCS-based ads.
And don’t worry – Google Messages will work even with RCS disabled. Instead, the app automatically replaces all SMS texts (note that companies may send you promotional SMS messages even if RCS features are disabled on your device).
Method 3. Use a different application
Another option is to completely switch to a different default messaging app. Some apps like WhatsApp, Messenger, and Signal even include RCS-like features and other capabilities that go beyond what most standard Android text messaging apps can do. Other good options include SMS Organizer, Telegram, Viber, and GroupMe.
While many of these apps have their own problems – including spam, fraudulent privacy policies, and security concerns – they can at least help you avoid RCS spam from infiltrating Google and Samsung messages.