Back in 2017 when the service received its first significant overhaul in years, a spokesperson from Google stated they are working to implement RCS Universal Profile. Try instead either searching "RCS" or scrolling down to the "Messages" entry and looking for it there.Here we cover some of the big names in US cellular providers — Verizon, T-Mobile, Sprint, US Cellular, and even Google Fi — that have already implemented RCS Universal Profile to some degree.To try it out, here's what you and anyone else you want to message using RCS will need to do:Because there are so many components involved, it takes time. Over a year ago the Big 4 with Google's help were planning on developing a unified free messaging app that would allow RCS to be standardized among all the carriers and devices. Before Google purchased Jibe and spearheaded the GSMA's standardization of a set of features that would be included with all RCS-UP compatible devices and carriers, RCS by itself had already existed for four years. As long as you are using a Pixel device in those countries, you will be able to use RCS messaging via the Android messaging app.You are correct. This version allows for some of the RCS features, but is limited to only a handful of devices (Samsung Galaxy S7, S9, S9+, and Note 9) and only works when all members are AT&T subscribers.The service started by Google will also be supporting RCS messaging. Before Google purchased Jibe and spearheaded the GSMA's standardization of a set of features that would be included with all RCS-UP compatible devices and carriers, RCS by itself had already existed for four years. In a rare show of unity, the Big Four US carriers - Verizon, AT&T, T-Mobile, and Sprint - have joined together to create an RCS messaging initiative. For now, if you are on AT&T, your best bet is enable RCS via Jibe's servers which will enable RCS in Android Messages.This is great! What about unlocked phones?T-Mobile recently partnered with Google to add carrier interoperability. Next wave of countries soon.Outside of the US, several wireless carriers have already implemented the technology. Back in 2017 when the service received its first significant overhaul in years, a spokesperson from Google stated they are working to implement RCS Universal Profile. Revision have been made to correct this error.The issue is because you searched "Messages" inside the Activity launcher, and "Set RCS Flags" doesn't have the word "Messages" in it, so it won't appear on the list of results. Carriers have been promising this for a long time — since 2017 — but existing support has been limited and has come in incremental spurts.
PS: RCS now fully rolled out in UK and FR.

Instead, AT&T subscribers are stuck with their proprietary version known as AT&T Advanced Messaging. RCS messaging allows your regular text messaging app to ditch SMS and act more like a chat app, with group chats, read receipts, interactive media, and more -- you just have to know how to turn it on. By aligning on the GSMA's universal RCS profile - with the Messages RCS client app - carriers can now provide RCS messaging across the … Updated: The tutorial has been updated for more carriers in the USA, Canada, UK, and any country that supports RCS messaging like some Asian countries (India) as well. This version allows for some of the RCS features, but is limited to only a handful of devices (Samsung Galaxy S7, S9, S9+, and Note 9) and only works when all members are AT&T subscribers.The service started by Google will also be supporting RCS messaging. (Currently, iPhones don’t support RCS, so this whole thing is meaningless if you’re messaging someone who owns an Apple device.
However, this will miss out on chatbots, sender verification, and business messaging, features from newer versions.The Universal Profile looks to fix this fragmentation, but it's proving to be an uphill battle. Rich Communication Services (RCS) ist ein Standard für Mobile Messaging Service der Mobilfunkindustrie, entwickelt vom Network 2020 Programm der GSMA, des Industrieverbandes der internationalen Mobilfunkanbieter. Here is a list of the wireless providers that fully support both RCS Messaging and Universal Profile.Are you on the beta version? I do believe that if Apple was onboard, there would be a greater push by carriers as that would mean the entire US smartphone market would be affected but sadly, for only Android users, some carriers are taking their time.You'll know it was successful if you go to "Chat features" inside the Messages app's settings and see a "Status: Connected" message at the top of the screen.