RCS support for dual (multi) SIM by Google Messages

 Google Messages bringing support for dual & multi SIM RCS

Google Messages is the default messaging app on many Android devices. At the moment, the app has been gradually rolling out RCS support to users around the world. It only supports RCS on one SIM card at a time and Google is now preparing its support for dual or multiple SIM. The new beta update of Google Messages arrives with version 20240102_00_RC01, which hints that the app is working on adding support for RCS on dual or multi-SIM cards. The app’s code contains several strings related to multi_sim RCS support.

Version 20240102_00_RC01, which is the first beta of the new year, features various strings related to multi_sim RCS support.

<string name=”phone_number_input_title_text_multi_sim”>Send and receive RCS chats on SIM %1$d when you verify your number</string>

<string name=”rcs_status_multi_sim_checkbox_content_description”>SIM %1$s RCS Toggle</string>

<string name=”multi_sim_rcs_not_available_desc_disabled_by_it_admin”>Your IT administrator turned off RCS chats for all SIMs. %1$s</string>

<string name=”disable_rcs_warning_text_global_level_three_or_more_sims”>RCS chats for all numbers will be turned offf</string>

<string name=”disable_rcs_warning_text_global_level_two_sims”>RCS chats for both numbers will be turned off</string>

Since launch, Google Messages has not allowed RCS on more than one phone number, but the app looks to be readying support for dual (multi) SIM. It looks like the company is now getting around to adding support, which is important for RCS adoption internationally. Those with dual SIM phones are seeing multiple numbers appear in Settings > RCS chats, which picked up some visual tweaks in recent weeks. Note the checkboxes next to each number instead of the generic SIM card icon. As per reports available, the second number cannot be set up right now, with Google not yet enabling the server-side elements for dual/multi SIM RCS support in Messages. 

From the beginning, Google has said “RCS chats are available for your default or preferred call SIM at this time and may be available for other SIMs later.”  According to some reports, users with dual SIM phones are already seeing multiple numbers in the RCS chat settings, with checkboxes next to each number. However, the feature is not fully available yet, as Google has not enabled the server-side element for dual/multi SIM RCS. Google has not announced when the feature will be officially available, but it is likely to be rolled out gradually to users in the near future.