[UPDATED] RCS Messaging: Update

[Ck_PM]

[Updated as of 9/24/25]: 

The RCS activation issue has now been resolved.

If you’re still experiencing issues with RCS on your device, please try the troubleshooting steps below.

Hi Community,

We’re aware that some Public Mobile customers are experiencing issues activating RCS (Rich Communication Services) messaging after switching devices or SIMs/eSIMS.

Our team is actively investigating this issue with the appropriate partners, and we’re working on a fix.

While this issue is being investigated, you can continue to rely on standard SMS and MMS (text and picture messaging), which remain fully functional. SMS/MMS are the default messaging services on your device, meaning you’ll still be able to send and receive regular texts and photos without interruption.

Features specific to RCS may not work until the issue is resolved, but your standard  messaging services are unaffected.

We’ll share an update here in the Community as soon as we have more information.

Thanks for your patience,

- The Public Mobile Team

Troubleshooting:

iOS

Reset Network Settings: Settings > General > Transfer or Reset iPhone > Reset > Reset Network Settings

Enter your passcode if prompted, then confirm reset.

Note: This will clear saved Wi-Fi networks, passwords, cellular settings, and Bluetooth pairings, but won’t delete personal data.

Android

Clear Cache & Data: Settings > Apps > Messages > Storage > Clear Cache

Force Stop an App: From the Apps screen, select the desired app, then select Force stop

Log Out and Back In to Google Messages: Google Messages > Profile icon > Message Settings > RCS Chats > Turn Off > Restart device > Turn On > Reopen Google Messages > Tap your profile picture or icon > Message Settings > RCS Chats > Turn On RCS Chats

[Markrodger]

My issue looks to be resolved now.  I assume because they have refreshed my account.  Though I have not received a message from them.  Thanks again for your suggestion.

[Markrodger]

Thank you!  I submitted a ticket yesterday.  Still waiting to hear from them as my RCS Messaging is still waiting for activation in my settings.

[benjvm]

I just submitted a ticket with my network issues. This is also one problem that I am experiencing since I upgraded my phone and transferred from physical sim to e-sim along. It might not be related but I am receiving regular text SMS messages hours later after it was sent. 

[barcal]

My issue was not resolved until I toggled the Public Mobile off and back on.  Settings, Cellular, Public Mobile turn this phone on/off.

[Swotam]

The most recent version is 65.0 on iOS. I’ve had this on my device for a while now and it’s not the cause of the RCS issue since that was the version I had before RCS broke, and after it was fixed. There’s probably no reason to defer carrier updates unless they are specifically known to cause issues, in which case they would probably be rolled back.

[Markrodger]

Thank you so much!  

[hTideGnow]

hi @Markrodger 

I would ask PM support agent to refresh you account

submit a ticket with CS Agent using Chatbot here:       
            https://widget.telus.tiia.ai/publicmobile/publicmobile.html 
             Type the question "Submit ticket", Then click the following in order: "Contact Us" ,  "Other",  "Log In".  
             (If unable to receive 2FA SMS, click "Didn't Receive Code" or "Resend Code" and Select "Send Email")         
If any issue with ticket submission, you can submit  ticket by direct message:  
          https://productioncommunity.publicmobile.ca/t5/notes/composepage/note-to-user-id/22437 

Remember CS_agent will reply to your Community inbox within 2 to 4 hours, please check your inbox here:
           https://productioncommunity.publicmobile.ca/t5/notes/privatenotespage            

[slusagm]

@Markrodger just to confirm, iPhone or Android?

[Markrodger]

I did this and still cannot send texts.  Do you have any other suggestions.

[on2wheels]

Funny enough my iphone got a carrier update today (which I declined for now). Settings>General>About.    edit: can someone who applies this carrier update tell us if RCS still works?

2nd edit: sept26 this carrier update did not appear when I checked today, it's still at 64.0, but RCS is still working, ios18.7

I've had a few devices over the years to know if something is working, leave well enough alone until it stops working. #ios18forever

[Swotam]

Hopefully that'll come along sooner rather than later, but it'll require PM to support Universal Profile 3.0 and the MLS spec updates to support E2EE if they haven't done so already, so who knows how long that could take...

[on2wheels]

Yeah I wouldn't expect to need to do this each time there's a major RCS update.  I know Apple is looking to go e2e-encrypted RCS so hopefully this experience will better prepare PublicMobile for future carrier updates.

[Swotam]

I got it working on iPhone however I had to Reset Network Settings (again), which is sort of a pain in the butt since it removes WiFi and VPN settings. It didn't affect Bluetooth luckily since that would be annoying to deal with.

So yeah, it's working again, so that's good. It's just unfortunate that customers have to start wiping settings on their phone to make it happen.

[slusagm]

@fixin1 most confirmed their iMessage/RCS works

Try reboot your phone and Reset network settings again

and if still not able to get it work, try remove the phone number from Settings, reboot phone and enter phone number back to force iMessage to re-register

[fixin1]

@slusagm - Mine hasn't changed.

[slusagm]

@Ck_PM 

look like the issue is now resolved.  thanks for looking into it 

[hTideGnow]

this could be the fix.  

https://productioncommunity.publicmobile.ca/t5/Get-Support/RCS-Fix/m-p/1370799

[NeilMarshall]

Hopefully this fix comes soon, it’s quiet disruptive 

[Bucca]

No change in Sims or phones but I cannot send or receive calls. Text is working. The same for my son also on Public 

[LitlLdy]

@Ck_PM , thank you! This is very much appreciated. 😊 

I didn’t lose RCS on my Public Mobile service after switching devices (never switched) nor when switching eSIM (didn’t switch) , it disappeared all the sudden a few weeks ago!

Edit: To update: I made sure RCS toggle was off on my iPhone, paid for a new eSIM (from a new SIM Card the other day from an eSIM due to I was told that it may fix RCS but it didn’t), I rebooted iPhone, checked IMS Status under Public Mobile & it now shows “Voice, SMS & RCS”! I checked under the message section to toggle RCS on but it automatically turned itself on! I sent a test message, it was successfully sent, received & response back also through RCS! 🥳 

I would say Public Mobile fixed it on their end or at least mine is working again after all this time! 😊 If so it may work for you by resetting network settings on your phone & rebooting your phone.

[NoShiftNomad]

Thanks for the update!

Looking forward to a resolution as this has disrupted collaborative work for some of us.

[on2wheels]

For the record it happened to some of us without "after switching devices or SIMs/eSIMS."   But thankyou for the update, I look forward to hearing the details of what went wrong and how it was fixed.

[hTideGnow]

thanks @Ck_PM