Google Messages RCS isnt working for some users, but a weird VPN trick might fix it

Date:
Thu, 20 Aug 2026 10:29:50 +0000

Description:
RCS isn't working for some Google Messages users, but an old VPN trick has reemerged as a potential solution.

FULL STORY ======================================================================Copy link Facebook X Whatsapp Reddit Pinterest Flipboard Threads Email Share this article 0 Join the conversation Follow us Add us as a preferred source on Google Newsletter Subscribe to our newsletter RCS in Google Messages has stopped working for some users The issue mostly seems to be affecting newly set up Samsung phones Various fixes have been proposed, but the simplest and weirdest seems the most reliable RCS (Rich Communication Services) is a worthwhile upgrade to SMS it brings encryption, read receipts, and more, and its accessible via Google Messages on Android. Except right now, it seems not to be working for a number of people.

It's not clear how widespread the issue is, but various posts on Reddit suggest there are issues with RCS on recent Samsung phones like the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8 and Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra . The issue most commonly seems to occur when swapping over to a new device, so people whove had a Samsung Galaxy S26 for a while with no issue, for instance, are seemingly less likely to run into problems than someone who just bought the phone and set it up. Latest Videos From TechRadar Watch full video here:

But in any case, a number of Reddit users report RCS failing to connect, in some cases followed by a 3100 error code. The good news is that there are several potential fixes floating around, and one of them is quite straightforward.

That fix, as highlighted in one Reddit thread , is to turn off RCS, connect
to a VPN, then turn RCS back on, and hopefully it will reactivate as normal. You can safely turn the VPN off at this point. This Reddit post says that you should connect to a VPN in Paris, France, specifically, but elsewhere, users have claimed success by using other VPN regions, so its unlikely you need to choose Paris we certainly cant see why that would make all the difference. You may like Samsung Messages replaced by Google Messages as default app 5 steps to take before Samsung Messages shuts down in July Android 17 is
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Anecdotally, this method seems to have the highest success rate going by the replies on Reddit, with most users exclaiming variations of I can't believe this actually worked, and thats good, because not all the suggested solutions are as simple as this. The official suggestion Some Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8 users are reporting RCS issues (Image credit: Richard Priday / TechRadar) So wed suggest trying this method first, but if it doesnt work, then Googles own support team posted a suggestion too . They say you should update to the latest version of Google Messages, then turn RCS off, clear data for Carrier Services, restart your phone, and finally turn RCS back on. Get daily
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If that doesnt work either, another user has posted a six-step process that involves stopping the Google Messages app, then removing your phone number from Google, followed by turning off two-step verification, turning off recovery phone, and removing Google Play Services updates, then turning
Google Messages back on after which, if RCS is now connecting, you should re-enable/update all of the above.

This feels like a bit of a nuclear option though, and not all users found
this method worked for them. So hopefully the weird VPN trick will solve the issue for you. Interestingly, this trick first emerged two years ago when
some users were having similar issues. So, while were not sure why it works, it has a long history of solving the problem. Today's best Samsung Galaxy deals Contract Deals Sim Free voucher gift Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge 36 months Unlimited mins 1GB data 50 upfront 29.50 /mth View at Vodafone Ltd See all prices voucher gift Samsung Galaxy S26 48 months Unlimited mins 30GB data 30 upfront 37.70 /mth View at EE See all prices gift Samsung Galaxy S26 Plus 24 months Unlimited mins Unlimited texts 200GB data 29 upfront 44.99 /mth View
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Link to news story: https://www.techradar.com/phones/samsung-galaxy-phones/google-messages-rcs-isn t-working-for-some-users-but-a-weird-vpn-trick-might-fix-it


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