RCS not working after number ported

Hi ​@Faffton, 

I do apologise that RCS is not working. Please try the following:

1) Open Messages, go to Settings (top right, Message Settings), open "Chat Features" or "RCS Chats", verify if this is the correct number or not.

2) If it shows the incorrect one, then head to: https://messages.google.com/disable-chat and you should be able to unregister the number. Once done, turn off the Chat Features/RCS and the phone. Wait a few minutes and turn the device back on and re-enable Chat Features/RCS it should let you re-register/update to the correct number.

Alternatively, you can turn Chat Features/RCS off and test SMS after this.

Owethu

Thanks Owethu for the response. Unfortunately those steps have had no effect on the RCS, SMS is working fine but I was hoping to keep my previous RCS chats/groups before they are purged after 30 days inactivity.

I have tried various combinations of clearing cache/data, uninstalling updates, disabling verification, using Google disable chat and switching off for x days etc. I have also switched from an esim back to a physical one.

Unfortunately nothing has worked to get the setup to move past connecting 

Kind regards

Carl

Hi ​@Faffton 

Are you using RCS chats on an Android device or an Apple device?

-Michael Z

Hi Michael Z,

I am using Android, running android 16.

Kind regards,

Carl

Hi ​@Faffton, 

thanks for explaining that clearly that helps.

RCS is managed by Google/your device messaging service rather than iD Mobile, so there isn’t anything we can directly switch on or reset from our side for RCS itself. However, what you’re describing (working before the number port, then getting stuck on “connecting” after porting) is a known issue that can happen when the number registration doesn’t refresh correctly after a port.

A few important points and checks:

• After a number port, RCS often needs to re-register your number with Google’s messaging services, which can take up to 24–48 hours.
• Make sure your old SIM is fully removed and only the iD Mobile SIM is active in the device.
• Check that your SMS service is working normally (RCS relies on SMS verification in the background).
• In Google Messages settings, try turning “Chat features” off, restart the phone, then turn it back on.
• If available, clear cache for Google Messages and Carrier Services, then reboot the handset.

If it’s still stuck after all of that, the most reliable fix is usually to deregister your number from RCS and re-register it:

• Go to Google’s RCS deregistration page and remove your number
• Wait a short period (up to a few hours)
• Then re-enable Chat Features in Google Messages

As this is handled by Google’s RCS service and not the network, there’s no network-side reset we can perform, but the above steps usually resolve issues after a port.

If you want, I can also help you go through the exact reset steps for your specific handset setup.

Owethu

Hi ​@Faffton,

Here are practical troubleshooting steps to fix RCS messaging on Android 16. These steps work for most issues like “Chat features not connecting”, messages stuck on SMS, or RCS not registering.

1. Check RCS / Chat features are enabled

• Open Google Messages
• Tap your profile icon (top right)
• Go to Messages settings → RCS chats
• Make sure “Turn on RCS chats” is enabled
• If it’s already on, toggle it OFF → restart phone → turn it back ON

2. Confirm your phone number is verified

• In RCS chats, check Status
• If it says Setting up or Verifying, wait a few minutes
• If stuck, turn RCS OFF and back ON again to re-trigger verification

3. Update key apps

Make sure everything is up to date in the Play Store:

• Google Messages
• Carrier Services
• Google Play Services

Outdated versions are one of the most common causes of RCS issues.

4. Clear cache (safe and often effective)

• Go to Settings → Apps
• Select Google Messages
• Tap Storage → Clear cache
• Repeat for Carrier Services

Do not clear data unless necessary, as it may reset message settings.

5. Check your network connection

RCS needs a stable internet connection:

• Switch between Wi-Fi and mobile data
• Turn Airplane mode ON/OFF
• Disable VPN if you’re using one

6. Set Google Messages as default SMS app

• Settings → Apps → Default apps → SMS app
• Select Google Messages

7. Restart your device

A simple restart can force RCS services to re-register correctly.

8. Reset network settings (if still not working)

• Settings → System → Reset options
• Tap Reset Wi-Fi, mobile & Bluetooth

(This will remove saved Wi-Fi networks, so you’ll need to reconnect after.)

9. Reinsert SIM card (optional but useful)

• Turn phone off
• Remove SIM, wait 30 seconds
• Reinsert and restart

10. Last resort: wait 24 hours after toggling RCS

Sometimes Google’s RCS servers temporarily lock re-verification. Waiting can resolve it automatically.

If this does not work, please get in touch with our customer service team via live chat, you can reach them by clicking here: https://www.idmobile.co.uk/live-chat. They would be able to log a ticket for you and have this investigated. 

Regards,

Gemma M

The iD Mobile Social Media Team

Hi, thanks for all the feedback.

Having tried all these steps multiple times over the last few weeks with no change, Finally today RCS started working for myself and one of my daughters, but not my wife and other daughter(we all switched on the same day). 

The only difference we can see was that we had switched our RCS off last Friday and not turned it on until today and now it is working. Whereas the other two had only left it off for 30 hours max.

We are now testing that theory with the other two phones to see if Google have a slightly longer inactivity window than 24 hours that performs the reset at their end. 

Kind regards, 

Carl

Hi ​@Faffton.

Thanks for sharing this update and I’m really glad to hear RCS has started working for you and one of your daughters.

Hopefully the same reset process works for your wife and other daughter as well.

Thanks again for sharing your experience, it’s really helpful for others who may be facing the same issue.

Thanks,

Marquerita

The iD Mobile Team