Send & receive text messages (SMS & MMS)

Set up Messages on Android

You can send and receive SMS (text) and MMS (multimedia) messages through the Messages app . Messages are considered texts and don't count toward your data usage. When you turn on chat features, your data usage is at no charge.​

There are 2 ways that you can send a message using the Messages app :
  • Over Wi-Fi or cellular service, using RCS with others who use Android. Your RCS message texts appear as “Send by Wi-Fi or mobile data Send."
  • Using SMS or MMS messages, which appear as “Send by SMS Send by SMS” or “Send by MMS Send by MMS."

Get started with Google Messages

You can send and receive text messages, photos, voice messages, and video using Google Messages. If you don't have Google Messages, you can get it from Google Play.

Learn more about getting started with the Google Messages app.

Ensure RCS chats are on

A modern industry standard for messaging known as Rich Communication Services (RCS) enables more dynamic and secure conversations than SMS and MMS.

Important: RCS chats are only available for certain devices, service providers, and carriers. For more info, contact your carrier. Learn how your data is handled in RCS chats.

  1. On your device, open Google Messages .
  2. At the top right, tap your Profile picture and then Messages settings and then RCS chats.
  3. Under “Turn on RCS chats,” ensure RCS chats are on.

Important: To stop sending and receiving RCS messages, in your Settings, turn off RCS chats. When you remove a SIM card from your device and you don’t turn off RCS chats, it may continue to work for up to 14 days.

To learn more about RCS chats, go to:

Send messages connected to Wi-Fi or data

Even if you don’t have cell service, you can send texts over Wi-Fi. Just use Messages as you normally would.

If you're not connected to Wi-Fi, make sure cellular data is on:

  1. On your Android device, go to Settings.
  2. Tap Network & internet.
  3. Under “SIMs,” tap Google Fi.
  4. Turn on Mobile data.
Tip: You can't use SMS delivery reports with Google Fi.

Change message settings

Learn how to change message settings on Android.

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