In recent weeks, Android users with rooted or unlocked bootloader phones have discovered that RCS in Google Messages does not work.
Unlocked smartphone? There is bad news in the messages!
Specifically, users cannot send or receive RCS messages. According to a report, a phone number can pass verification, but the Rich Communication Services feature does not actually work. Another example shows messages disappearing after tapping the send button.
Compared to the Google Wallet failures, there is no user-facing error message to indicate that something has gone wrong. As such, users may not know they are missing conversations.
Google confirmed today that some of these cell phones are prevented from using RCS and cited the need to prevent spam and abuse. In other words, ensuring that the devices comply with the “operational measures” of the RCS standard.
Affected users have discovered that SMS/MMS continues to work on rooted devices or phones that have the bootloader unlocked, which is required to install a custom ROM. Google noted that the continued availability of SMS is an alternative when RCS is not available.
This RCS issue was particularly prevalent in late November and has appeared intermittently since then, including reports of issues as of today.
That said, those who are savvy enough to root have found a straightforward enough fix that involves bypassing the security function (Play Integrity API) that appears to be responsible for preventing RCS access.
Compared to Google Pay, banking and other similar apps that don't work when rooted, blocking key communication functionality on your Android device is a step too far for many. At the same time, avoiding spam is a valid concern, but let's hope there are less blunt ways to protect RCS users that don't infringe on Android's customizability. Google should also communicate better to users when a service is not available.