Friend got a S20 FE and now our messages are only SMS, not blue

[Alexopolis]

My friend upgraded from an S8+ to a S21 FE and I can't get our messages back to how they were. We're both using the Samsung Messages app, both signed into our Samsung accounts...? Why are there no blue bubbles :(

[RedDogRabbit]

I have the Galaxy S20 Ultra & there's no issue with RCS on Rogers for me.

RCS can be less about the device & more dependant on your Carrier. 

[Alexopolis]

We're both on virgin, before she was on Bell.

It looks like she's missing this Chat settings option that I have in messages. I googled it, it says background data might be restricted... I'll have to check her phone next time I see her.

I've always used Samsung messages, do you like google messages better?

[RedDogRabbit]

Yes I prefer Google Messages over Samsung's & for a while Samsung's Messages did even support RCS.

Is your Mom with the same Carrier.. Because I don't think that it's a device or even which app you use to get RCS Chat.

If she is using an old SIM card, even that could be the issue.

[macer1]

I recently started using Google Messages and I like it.  I like that they can filter out spam messages so that it's not in the main messaging but in their Spam filter.  I have also started using their Google Phone app too.

[Brantley]

Hi, we request you to check if you and your friend had activated RCS, this will be done by your carrier. Please write back to us if you require further assistance.

[RedDogRabbit]

RCS does not have to be activated by the Carrier, what the User must do is to connect to the RCS service & then verify their number in order to use it. 

[Alexopolis]

It didn't work with Samsung messages, they were missing the option in the settings. I switched to android messages, it works here. Thank you @RedDogRabbit for your help