Quick Answer
To switch from RCS to SMS on your Android phone, open the Messages app, tap your profile picture, and go to Messages settings > RCS chats. Toggle Turn on RCS chats off and confirm. Now, all messages will be sent via SMS, but you’ll lose features like media sharing, read receipts, and typing indicators.
The entire world shifted from Short Message Service (SMS) to other chat services like WhatsApp, Telegram, Signal, etc. The feature-rich alternative messaging apps lured users and have been improving with new features. SMS is now the least preferred messaging app for the majority of users. Though messages from banks, governments, and other authorities are delivered through SMS, there is nothing useful for a normal user of the internet.
Rich Communication Services (RCS) is another messaging protocol that mixes the capabilities of SMS, MMS, and other capabilities. Like how we use WhatsApp for calls, video calls, sending media and documents, getting blue ticks, or typing indicators, RCS comes with all these features. This advanced messaging protocol is end-to-end encrypted by default.
RCS is enabled by default on Android phones. When there is no internet, or the other user is not connected to the internet, then the text message is sent as an SMS. If it includes media, you’ll have to wait until both the users are connected to the internet, as RCS uses the internet to send and receive messages.
If you are looking for ways to disable RCS and switch back to good-old SMS, follow this guide. We show you how to enable and disable RCS on your Android phone.
Which is better? RCS or SMS?
RCS is an advanced messaging protocol that blends SMS features with some of the features from third-party messaging apps like WhatsApp. If you do not want to drain your SMS balance or want to send documents and media, see read receipts, or typing indicators, RCS is better. If the other person does not have access to the internet, RCS cannot be delivered. SMS is better in such cases.
How to Change From RCS to SMS
To change from RCS to SMS, you need to disable RCS in the Messages app settings on your Phone. Open the Messages app on your phone and tap on your profile picture. Select Messages settings and then RCS chats.
On the RCS settings page, toggle the button beside Turn on RCS chats to turn it off. Tap Turn off on the Turn off RCS Chats page to confirm turning it off.
From now on, the messages you send on the Messages app will be sent via SMS. Remember that you can neither share media, documents, etc., nor see read receipts and typing indicators.
How to Enable RCS on Android
Open the Messages app (from Google and not from your phone manufacturer as they do not support RCS), tap on the profile picture, and select Messages settings.
Go to RCS chats and toggle the button beside Turn on RCS chats. Wait for a few seconds as the protocol verifies with your network provider before enabling it.
If your network provider does not support RCS yet, you may have to wait or switch to another network that supports RCS.
Why is my phone sending messages as RCS?
On supported networks, the RCS chats are enabled by default on Google Messages. You should disable the RCS chats in the messages app settings to send your text as SMS.
Send SMS Instead of RCS
SMS uses your mobile balance or recharge pack to deliver text messages, whereas RCS works with the internet on supported networks. You may instead opt for feature-rich platforms like WhatsApp or Telegram rather than RCS. Make your messaging app stick to sending SMS by disabling the RCS chats in its settings.
