Google Messages uses regular carrier SMS/MMS and Google RCS chat features. If one side of that setup breaks, messages can stick with a red warning, fail to arrive, or switch between chat and text behavior.
These steps apply to Google Messages on Android phones, including Samsung devices where Google Messages is the default texting app.
Does This Affect You?
Use this if texts are not sending, RCS says connecting, messages are not arriving, or only certain conversations fail.
Check Connection and RCS Status
- Test a webpage over Wi-Fi and mobile data.
- Open Google Messages.
- Tap your profile picture.
- Open Messages settings.
- Tap Chat features or RCS chats.
- Confirm the status says Connected.
- If it shows Connecting or an error, follow prompts to reconnect.
- Try mobile data only, then Wi-Fi only, because some networks block RCS connections.
- Toggle Airplane Mode on for 15 seconds and off again.
Clear Messages Cache
- Open Settings > Apps.
- Tap Messages.
- Tap Storage or Storage & cache.
- Tap Clear cache.
- Restart the phone.
- Send a test message.
Clearing cache does not delete your text history. Clearing storage is a larger reset and should wait until cache, RCS, and default-app checks are done.
Check Default App and Carrier Settings
- Open Settings > Apps > Default apps.
- Make sure Google Messages is the default SMS app.
- Check for Android, Samsung, or carrier settings updates.
- If Wi-Fi Calling is on and texts fail, temporarily turn it off to test.
- Remove and reinsert the SIM, or confirm the eSIM is active under SIM settings.
More Message Notes
SMS and RCS Are Different
SMS needs carrier service. RCS needs data and Google/carrier chat services. One can fail while the other still works.
One Conversation May Be Stuck
If every other contact works, start a new conversation with that person or check whether they changed phones or disabled RCS.
Storage Reset
If nothing else works, clear Google Messages storage. Actual message history may remain if backed up, but app settings reset.
Sources
- Google Support: Fix problems sending or receiving messages
- Google Support: About chat features and RCS in Google Messages
- Google Support: Clear the cache and data of an app