Enable RCS for Android on Public Mobile!

[rydeordie99]

Please note that Google could disable this at anytime.

Steps I used on my Galaxy S8+:

1. Join the Messages beta program https://play.google.com/apps/testing/com.google.android.apps.messaging

2. Install Messages

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.google.android.apps.messaging&hl=en_US

3. Install Activity Launcher 

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=de.szalkowski.activitylauncher&hl=en_US

4. Turn off Wi-Fi ***** IMPORTANT *****

5. Go to App info for Messages and Force Stop

6. Open Activity Launcher

7. Change Recent Activities at the top to All Activities

8. Scroll down and select Messages

9. Select Set RCS Flags, which will launch a hidden screen.

10. Under ACS Url, select 'http://rcs-acs-prod-us.sandbox.google.com/.'

11. Under OTP Pattern, select 'Your\sMessenger\sverification\scode\sis\sG-(\d{6}).'

12. Click Apply and then launch Messages and follow setup

13. It can take up to 3 minutes to activate RCS but it took only 10 seconds on mine.

14. You can check if it is connected by going to the settings within Messaging and clicking Chat features. It should say Status: Connected.

Enjoy!

On my samsung, during the messages setup, I had to allow the new Messages app to become my default handler for messaging. Those of you with Pixels won't have to worry about that.

Credit to original posters: https://old.reddit.com/r/UniversalProfile/comments/dnatzj/think_i_managed_to_somehow_trick_it_into_w...

[Bruno1260]

Hello hope you can help I'm trying to be able to send text to iPhone I've downloaded the messages app I signed up to be beta tester I downloaded activity launcher I've turned off my Wi-Fi I forced up the messages app I cannot find how to access RCS flags I don't see an option what I'm I doing wrong I have a Samsung s 20 with all latest updates 

[MrScruples]

This worked beautifully for me on a Pixel 4XL -- thank you!

[Tav]

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@GinYVR wrote:

@TavUse the tutorial here to enable RCS https://www.reddit.com/r/UniversalProfile/comments/dnbrbk/tutorial_enable_rcs_on_any_carrierdevice_w... 

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I enabled it using the method here but it won't connect unless I'm on WiFi. So I'm thinking if I don't buy a text plan it won't work on data alone. 

[GinYVR]

@TavUse the tutorial here to enable RCS https://www.reddit.com/r/UniversalProfile/comments/dnbrbk/tutorial_enable_rcs_on_any_carrierdevice_w... 

[Tav]

Is it possible to tell RCS to work over data? 

I'll be going to the US and am thinking I can maybe get away with a data only plan and just using RCS and hangouts. 

[srlawren]

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@Tav wrote:

I wonder if a similar trick can be used to turn on wifi calling...

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Or VoLTE....  no.  Unfortuantely both require carrier support.  This "Chat" feature only works because Google got tired of waiting for carriers (not just ours, around the world) and stood up their own RCS services and branded them as Chat.  They have done no such thing for VoLTE or VoWiFi, nor do I suspect they have any motivation to do so.

My thoughts on RCS:

Yeah this workaround works just fine on PM, did it on Saturday.  However, here are my thoughts on it.  Sadly, pretty useless for me:

https://productioncommunity.publicmobile.ca/t5/Phones-Hardware/RCS-is-finally-here/m-p/444619/highli...

[Tav]

I wonder if a similar trick can be used to turn on wifi calling...

[mimmo]

@will13am  I got it working on p20pro on Koodo and moto z Play on pm.  

But it's really pointless unless your contacts follow the process as well.

Edit now I lost the excuse" sorry darling I didn't see your sms till now "

[Korth]

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@GinYVR wrote:

@rydeordie99Do note RCS doesn't have end to end encryption.. so that a pretty major feature missing from Whatsapp's feature set.

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Also note that Whatsapp is now owned by Facebook. So any encryption ("security" or "privacy") it might promise is already compromised.

Signal SMS is current the best privacy/encryption available. Especially if you compile your own runtimes straight from the github source. 

[GinYVR]

@rydeordie99Do note RCS doesn't have end to end encryption.. so that a pretty major feature missing from Whatsapp's feature set.

[rydeordie99]

My understanding is that this is Google's own implementation of RCS which works through Android. Not sure what the ultimate eventual standard will be, but I did do some testing with someone in the USA who is on T-Mobile, and it was very nice to see all the features of WhatsApp within messaging.

[will13am]

@rydeordie99, I read about this on xda.  Correct me if I am wrong, I thought the carrier has to play ball as well.  I know that Public Mobile does not support RCS.  How does it work when the app can be made to support it but the rest of the infrastructure does not?

[tidepodravioli]

Awesome!! That worked perfectly thank you!