Google continues its mission to revolutionize the messaging experience on Android with a significant enhancement: dual SIM support for RCS (Rich Communication Services) in its Messages app. As Android users increasingly adopt dual SIM smartphones, especially in regions where such devices are the norm, this long-awaited feature is being rolled out more widely, making communication smoother, smarter, and more efficient across different numbers.

TLDR: Google is rolling out dual SIM RCS support in its Messages app, allowing users to activate RCS chat features on both of their SIM cards. This upgrade provides enhanced messaging functionality for multiple SIMs, improving convenience and flexibility. It’s especially beneficial for users who maintain separate personal and work numbers. The feature is becoming more broadly available as part of a phased global release.

What is RCS and Why Dual SIM Support Matters

Rich Communication Services, or RCS, is the next-generation messaging protocol designed to replace traditional SMS. Unlike SMS, which is limited in terms of features, RCS offers:

• Typing indicators
• Read receipts
• High-resolution photo and video sharing
• Wi-Fi messaging capability
• End-to-end encryption for one-on-one conversations

Until recently, RCS on Android devices only worked per device and was typically associated with just one SIM card, even for dual SIM users. This created a gap in user experience, particularly for people who juggle multiple numbers. Now, with dual SIM RCS support, users can take advantage of this intelligent messaging protocol on both lines.

The Widespread Rollout: What’s Changing

Google has been testing dual SIM RCS support in beta versions of the Messages app for several months. With a recent update, it is now being deployed more widely to stable versions, giving an increasingly broad base of users access to the feature. According to recent reports and user feedback, the support is now rolling out globally across many devices and carriers that support RCS.

The rollout introduces a fundamental change in how the Google Messages app handles multiple SIMs. Each SIM can now be configured independently to enable or disable RCS chat features. This means users can choose which SIM they want RCS active on, or even run it on both if desired—assuming both lines are supported by their respective carriers.

Key Enhancements in the Dual SIM RCS Rollout

• Separate RCS Activation for Each SIM: Users can turn RCS chat features on or off independently for each SIM slot.
• Improved User Interface: Google Messages shows a clear indicator of which SIM is being used for sending a message, with simplified switching options.
• Unified Messaging Experience: Conversations remain seamless regardless of the SIM in use, maintaining all RCS advantages such as typing indicators and shared media.

How to Enable RCS on Dual SIM Devices

To enjoy this new feature, it’s crucial to ensure your device and app meet these requirements:

• Latest version of Google Messages
• Android 11 or higher (though many devices on Android 10 may also be supported)
• Carrier support for RCS on each SIM
• Active data connection on the selected SIM

Steps to activate RCS for both SIMs:

1. Open the Google Messages app.
2. Tap the profile icon or three dots in the upper-right corner, then choose Messages settings.
3. Go to RCS chats. Here, you will see options to toggle RCS on or off for each SIM card.
4. Enable RCS for the desired SIM(s) and wait for the “Chat features ready” status.

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Challenges and Limitations

Despite this major update, there are still a few limitations users should be aware of:

• Not all carriers support RCS in the same capacity. One SIM may work seamlessly, while the other might be limited to SMS/MMS.
• If both SIMs use RCS, there is still potential for conflict if you’re switching numbers during active conversations.
• The feature is rolling out gradually, so some users may not yet see the option, even if their device meets all technical requirements.

Technical delays may also emerge based on regional regulations, carrier configurations, or device manufacturer adaptations. Google appears to be working closely with major carriers worldwide to ensure better compatibility moving forward.

User Experience Improvements

Beyond dual SIM functionality, Google has refined the overall experience in its Messages app by incorporating clearer UI indicators. Now, when drafting a message, users can easily see which SIM the message will be sent through. Additionally, users may manually select which SIM to use for each message, giving them full control over their communications.

The combination of smart RCS features and flexible dual SIM usage makes Google’s Messages app more competitive with Apple’s iMessage and popular third-party messaging platforms like WhatsApp and Signal.

Why This Matters Globally

While many users in the U.S. may stick to a single SIM, the dual SIM RCS feature holds considerable importance for users in countries such as India, Brazil, China, and many regions in Africa and Southeast Asia, where dual SIM phones dominate the market. These users often separate their personal and professional lives using two numbers, and seamless communication on both lines enhances productivity and convenience.

The widespread rollout of dual SIM RCS aligns Google’s strategy toward universal RCS availability and may serve as a cornerstone for promoting RCS-based interoperability between Android and iOS in the future.

Future Outlook: What’s Next?

With this milestone achieved, Google is expected to continue building on RCS infrastructure improvements, possibly extending support to more complex messaging configurations like multi-device synchronization, advanced group chat features, and tighter integration with other Android services like Google Assistant and Meet.

Additionally, user demand remains high for iOS support of RCS, and with recent movements toward messaging standardization, Apple may yet incorporate RCS in the future, bringing true cross-platform parity.

FAQ: Google Messages Dual SIM RCS Support

• Q: Can I use RCS on both SIM cards at the same time?
  A: Yes, if both SIM cards are from carriers that support RCS, you can activate RCS Chat features on both lines concurrently.
• Q: Why don’t I see dual SIM RCS options in my app?
  A: The rollout is gradual. Ensure your app is updated to the latest version and your carrier supports RCS on both SIMs.
• Q: Does enabling RCS on both SIMs impact battery life?
  A: Not significantly, though each SIM connected to chat features will use a small amount of additional background data and power.
• Q: Can I manually choose which SIM to send a message from?
  A: Yes, Google Messages allows you to select the SIM per conversation, and displays which SIM is active before sending.
• Q: Will RCS chats be synced if I switch phones?
  A: Chats backed by end-to-end encryption are device-specific, but broader RCS functionality will continue on supported devices once re-registered.