Google RCS in Samsung Messages S21 Ultra

[glassman72]

Has anyone received the Google Chat features in Samsung Messages yet?

[Mprunty]

The carriers have nothing to do with Google RCS on this phone. Google bypassed the carriers to make this happen when it first launched it with their pixel phones. most likely with the agreement Google and Samsung signed for Samsung supporting RCS, it was through Samsung's messaging app here in the U.S. The chat features work fine through Samsung's messaging app.

[glassman72]

chat features in samsung messaging app doesn't work on samsung unlocked phones currently

[Mprunty]

okay. I have a Verizon edition Galaxy S21 Ultra and for me the chat features are working.

[glassman72]

yeah that's the carrier version of chat, but Google rcs features are suppose to come to samsung messages per the unboxing event for s21

[Mprunty]

I can't speak for the other carriers but for verizon, the carrier version of chat is through the Verizon Messaging app. the Samsung chat app is their (Samsung) version of Google's RCS. Samsung had their own version going for a couple years now. Google long game is to unify android through their services, which is less work for the phone manufacturers. The agreement between Samsung and Google is for Samsung to rely on Google servers and RCS through their own messaging app and Google's messaging app. so you have a choice between the two. Native RCS through Google's messaging app is what we are all waiting for right now. but if you use Samsung's text messaging app and message another samsung owner, you get the chat features.

[glassman72]

oh I forget verizon has a messaging app.. I use Google messages now with chat features , but would like those features to come to samsung messages... https://www.xda-developers.com/google-rcs-based-chat-features-rolling-out-samsung-messages-app/

[bill-e]

My 21 Ultra has Chat features however nobody in my contacts seems to be compatible as my avatar is the only one with the blue dot next to it so no way to test.