Issues with Google Messages and RCS

[Dwynfal]

New user here. I decided to switch from iOS to Android and settled on Samsung for my needs. I recently got an S25 and Tab S11 Ultra, and the transition has been good (the hardware is great and there's a lot to like about the ecosystem), except when it comes to messaging, as I can't for the life of me get RCS working in Google Messages, which Samsung seems adamant for us to use, as it is the default messaging app on their latest devices.

Basically, Google Messages has been stuck for days on 'Connecting...' to verify my cell number for RCS. I already spent many hours scavenging the Web for help about this, watched YT videos, called Bell Mobility to confirm the feature is active on my line, tried countless times to apply the supposed fixes (force stop apps, clear caches, clear data, reboot with airplane mode on, uninstall Google Messages updates, install Carrier Settings from the Play Store, trying all of the former again, etc.). No luck and the feedback provided by Google Messages is nil. Why is this happening? What can I do to help fix this? I've seen online comments suggesting that going to a carrier's store to have the eSIM reset "might" help. I mean, is this a joke?

Now, why am I posting this here... Well, I partially blame Samsung for this issue. Nowadays, buying a new (especially premium) phone comes with some basic and legitimate expectations, like making and receiving phone calls as well as some form of built-in rich messaging. Since Samsung is pretty much forcing Google Messages on us, I would argue they had pretty well made sure the experience is frictionless, which doesn't seem to be the case for all users. And now that Samsung Messages has dropped RCS, well, we're pretty much stuck with Google Messages, which, well, is bad.

Short of switching carriers to see if that helps (sarcasm), I'm no quite sure what to do at this stage. Any pointers?

I'm stil in my 30-day return window for the S25 and I'm on the fence about sending it back.

[PSURFER]

https://myaccount.google.com/phone

[PSURFER]

Try this link

[Dwynfal]

I wasn't aware of this page. I checked it out after trying guitarman666jtb's fix below, which solved the problem. Thank you very much for your input! I'll certainly keep that link for future reference.

[guitarman666jtb · Accepted solution]

This works. I had to do it twice with bell now 😭

[Dwynfal]

Well, after two weeks of going bonkers over this, you made my day. Your suggestion worked like a charm on the first try and RCS now shows the device as Connected. I'm thinking of calling back Bell to let them know about this and Samsung should probably post this somewhere on their support site as well. Thank you so much for your help!

[guitarman666jtb]

Keep in the gallery for reference if it happens again google need to stop braking RCS

[Goldenseal]

RCS still works on Samsung Messages. It's only Bell and Fido that dropped their RCS support on the Samsung Messages app. I'm on Freedom and it's totally working.

[Dwynfal]

Really? Thanks for letting me know! I actually like Samsung Messages, so this may motivate me to switch carriers eventually...

[Goldenseal]

Yes, it's working on my Freedom network. I was on Fizz earlier this year, and it was working as well. It also works on my roommate's Rogers network. I have a friend who's using Bell, and the RCS option does not come up on his Samsung Messages settings. Personally, I prefer Samsung Messages as well.