Can't use Google Messages

[willanaya]

I recently purchased the Samsung s21 5g Ultra, moving over from the LG V60. I had been using Google Messages with my V60 as the beta version because I guess I was listed as a Beta user for the app when it first came out. I never had a problem with it as I was able to enjoy using the 20+ person conversation.

When I switched everything to the s21, I made it my default but soon realized that I could not use it when all my messages would not send/receive. I think most of the unsent/received messages were part of my conversations with my co-workers in the 20+ chat groups. I would get notifications that some messages were not uploaded/downloaded and when I opened the app, I would see in individual conversations, messages that required me tap on to download the message that was sent to the group. Even still, those messages would not upload to my phone correctly.

The only way I could have them properly sent to my conversations is to switch to the Samsung messaging app, tap on them to download correctly and then go back to the Google message app to see that they were then correctly sorted out.

Keep in mind, it appears that this is only happening to my 20+ conversation on a consistent basis but individual/smaller conversations sporadically.

Any thoughts on how to fix this?

 

[YankInDaSouth]

On your old phone did you have chat features enabled in Google Messages? If so, did you disable chat features on the old phone prior to switching to the new phone? If not, Google warns it can cause issues.

https://www.droid-life.com/2021/07/20/how-to-disable-rcs-chat-android/

https://messages.google.com/disable-chat

https://support.google.com/messages/answer/7189714?hl=en

 

[willanaya]

thanks. the steps didn't work. i guess i jumped the gun when i switched over. it now says it can't turn off the chat features and that I need to contact my carrier to do it, which is Mint Mobile

 

[mustang7757]

Try force stop the message app see if it goes back to normal

 

[willanaya]

For the first time, when I went to the playstore page i received a notification that the app i was using was the Beta version and that i needed to uninstall and reinstall.

So now I guess i will wait and see it it works.

thanks for all the help.

p.s. i tried the force stop and didnt notice a change but thanks for that idea.

 

[mustang7757]

For the first time, when I went to the playstore page i received a notification that the app i was using was the Beta version and that i needed to uninstall and reinstall.

So now I guess i will wait and see it it works.

thanks for all the help.

p.s. i tried the force stop and didnt notice a change but thanks for that idea.

Yeah opt out of the beta can cause issues.

 

[YankInDaSouth]

I too had to uninstall beta due to messages not being sent.

 

[willanaya]

The fix: had to install Google Carrier Service app. Samsung did not have it pre installed. then instead of using the Ultra APN settings, I used the Fast T Mobile APN. now google messages works fine.

 

[jope28]

The fix: had to install Google Carrier Service app. Samsung did not have it pre installed. then instead of using the Ultra APN settings, I used the Fast T Mobile APN. now google messages works fine.

Glad you found a fix.

I'm using Unlocked S21 with the "fast" APN setting as well but not the carrier services app.
And Google Messages has worked perfectly fine.

I'm just curious why you needed to use the Carrier Services app to make it work.
Weird.
I wonder what that app does and why it's not always needed.

 

[Kizzy Catwoman]

I have found that since RCS first came out in the UK 2 years ago Carrier Services was crucial to the setting up of RCS. Pixels have it installed but Samsung's do not. So I always install or update carrier services on a new phone or reset before setting up messages. So I am not surprised it was needed this time.

 

[willanaya]

not sure why it worked. comments from this site as well as others seemed to point to the success of having it installed. maybe it is effective when a person fails to properly disable it before switching to another phone.

or i was part of the beta testing for google messages, maybe the beta left some bad remnants.

 

[Nodnerb]

Does doing a factory reset clear the chat features so it will work on another phone? I have always had problems with RCS and haven't been using it. The only time it worked was with my unlocked pixel 5. That phone has been wiped and I'm using the s21 and RCS won't work. I didn't know you have to turn off chat for it to work on another phone, and I'm pretty phone savvy. Why is this not more widely known if it can cause so many issues? Or why isn't google working to make it seamless? I don't use google messages at all anymore as I don't see the point if RCS doesn't work so I've been using textra.

 

[J Dubbs]

Does doing a factory reset clear the chat features so it will work on another phone? I have always had problems with RCS and haven't been using it. The only time it worked was with my unlocked pixel 5. That phone has been wiped and I'm using the s21 and RCS won't work. I didn't know you have to turn off chat for it to work on another phone, and I'm pretty phone savvy. Why is this not more widely known if it can cause so many issues? Or why isn't google working to make it seamless? I don't use google messages at all anymore as I don't see the point if RCS doesn't work so I've been using textra.

I wasn't aware that you had to turn off RCS on your old phone to make it work when switching to a new phone. I recently moved from a 2016 pixel 1 to a pixel 3xl and the RCS is working seamlessly. It might be a feature that favors pixels though. I've read of lots of folks having trouble with RCS.... I have a feeling it's just a buggy, hit or miss affair.

It was a pain to set up on my original pixel, but it worked perfectly on my wife's Moto G6...go figure lol.

 

[willanaya]

try installing the google carrier services app. wasnt installed on my s21 but messages work perfectly now which is great because i need the 20+ conversations

 

[mustang7757]

try installing the google carrier services app. wasnt installed on my s21 but messages work perfectly now which is great because i need the 20+ conversations

I forget to mention that , I always download it to my Samsung device , pixels come with it .