Unable to activate RCS with new phone?

[Slink]

I upgraded to a Pixel 8 from a Samsung, both with Virgin, both using the same number, and I've been using the new phone for about 3 weeks.

This whole time, my RCS has been stuck on "Setting up". I've been able to click "Verify your number" which I think is supposed to send me a text, but I never get it. Other 2FA texts come through fine. RCS on my Samsung worked fine.

I've tried everything on the Google support site here. The only thing I haven't checked is if there's something on Virgin's side that might be causing trouble.

Has anyone else had trouble with RCS when upgrading to a new phone?

[Slink · Accepted solution]

So immediately after posting I found that Google has a web portal that can disable RCS that I somehow hadn't found before. After using it, my RCS turned on and seems to be working fine now.

[Naomi]

I am having the same problem and don't understand the Google link. I have tried all of the instructions over and over to get RCS to work with my new carrier (Virgin) and it isn't working. Very annoying as I use group text for business. 

[Nickum]

I have a Samsung Galaxy S20 and have been using RCS chat via Google Messages all along but earlier this week it stopped working and when I try to turn it on in Google Messages now it says

"Not Available"

"No compatible Sim card detected"

I've tried multiple suggestions that I've found online, including installing and reinstalling Google Messages.

Can anyone explain what's up please?

Thanks

[CPJ]

I've tried a lot of troubleshooting but chat continues to be stuck "verifying"and WiFi calls sends the verification code but then says that it can't set it up right now.

Here is what I've tried: 

• Removed and re-added SIM card 
• Deleted cache and data from caller services and messages app 
• Switched to a new SIM
• Deleted all phone numbers fun my Google account and re-added the correct one
• Used the Google site to remove my number from RCS chats service

[AliciaMD]

I tried everything mentioned, but what really worked was going into my Google account settings, go to contact info, make sure auto verify is turned off of all devices. My old device was also trying to auto verify. I shut it off on all devices and it automatically connected. I hope this helps 

[Xenoclock]

Thank you so much!  I was finally able to get mine working.  As you said, I tried everything.  My last straw was going to be a factory reset. So glad I didn't need to go that far.  

I use 2 phones with 1 SIM card that I swap out.  Pixel 2xl for work and a Pixel 9 pro XL for everything else.  It was the pixel 2 that was causing the issue

[HaliEx]

Nothing in this entire thread worked for me. 

Switched from a S22 to a S25 Ultra. 

Uninstall, reinstall, turned off auto verify on all devices, Google wouldn't send me a code despite the fact my number is verified but I was able to turn off auto verify in my google account. I've cleared data)cache in all my app, including the cache partitions, I feel like I've tried 20+ solutions and nothing has yet worked. 

One UI 7 turned my S22 into a brick, so took the physical SIM out and put it in my A71, that's when the problem started. I then put the SIM into my new S25 Ultra, with the issue persisting. In some cases it's mostly saying it's not even available for my device, but now just stuck back in setting up. 

[VirginPlusAntgio · Accepted solution]

Hey there @HaliEx , 

Welcome to the community and thanks for your post. 

I understand you're having a frustrating experience trying to get RCS chats working on your new phone. It sounds like you've already tried most of the standard troubleshooting steps.

Based on your description, the issue is almost certainly that your phone number is "stuck" in a registered state with one of your previous devices. Swapping the SIM card between multiple phones can often cause this. The system needs to be fully de-registered before it can be re-registered on the new device.

Here is a specific, ordered plan that has a high success rate for this exact problem. The key is patience, as you need to wait for Google's servers to time out your old registration.

Step 1: Turn Everything Off

1. On your new phone, open Google Messages.
2. Go to Settings > RCS chats.
3. Turn the RCS chats toggle OFF. If it's stuck on "Setting up" or "Connecting," do your best to disable it. If you can't, proceed anyway.
4. Turn off Wi-Fi on your phone. The rest of the process should be done on mobile data.

Step 2: Use Google's Deactivation Portal

This is the most critical step to force de-registration from Google's end. You mentioned not receiving a code, which can happen if the system is overloaded with requests. It's crucial to try again.

1. On a computer or separate device, go to Google's official deactivation web portal: https://messages.google.com/disable-chat
2. Scroll down to the section titled "Without your previous device".
3. Enter your phone number and click "Send Code".
4. Enter the 6-digit code you receive via SMS.
5. This should confirm that RCS chats have been deactivated for your number. If you still don't get a code, wait an hour and try again before proceeding.

Step 3: Reset the Apps and Wait

After successfully deactivating via the web portal, you need to give the system time to process it.

1. On your phone, go to Settings > Apps > Carrier Services. Select Storage and tap Clear Data.
2. Go back to the app list and find Google Messages. Select Storage and tap Clear Data.
3. Power off your phone completely for at least 5 minutes.
4. Power it back on.
5. DO NOT open Google Messages or try to activate RCS yet. You must now wait. The recommended waiting period is 24 hours, but some users report needing to wait up to 8-10 days for the server-side registration to fully clear. Patience is essential here.

Step 4: Reactivate

1. After the waiting period (at least 24 hours), ensure your phone has a strong mobile data connection.
2. Open Google Messages. It will go through the initial setup.
3. A pop-up should ask if you want to enable RCS chats. Agree to it.
4. Go to Settings > RCS chats. It should now show "Status: Connecting" and then change to "Status: Connected" within a few minutes.

Give that a try and keep the community updated with the results.