Verizon & Google are rolling out RCS support to the Pixel 3/3 XL

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One of the big advancements in messaging right now is Rich Communication Services (RCS). Google has been one of the big pushers of RCS and it’s the driving force behind their “Chat” standard. Right now, Google has Android Messages as the default SMS app on Pixel phones. A few carriers already support RCS, but Verizon has been lagging. The Pixel 3 and Pixel 3 XL will be the first Verizon phones to support RCS.

In a statement released to The Verge, Verizon announced that they will be rolling out RCS in the Android Messages app on the Pixel 3 and Pixel 3 XL. The rollout will begin on December 6th. Some of the features you can expect to see with RCS are typing indicators, larger group chats, larger file transfers, and more. These features only work if all members of the conversation have Chat.

Pixel 3 XDA Forum Pixel 3 XL XDA Forum

There has been some confusion about “Chat” and Android Messages. Chat is not a separate app or a rebrand of the Messages app. It’s a carrier-based service based on RCS that lives inside of the Messages app. So Verizon Pixel 3 users will be able to enjoy the Chat features with other Chat users. That includes Samsung device owners who use the default Samsung Messages app.

RCS is still relatively new and it’s not a universal standard like old SMS. It will take a while for everyone to move over to the new standard. You won’t be able to enjoy the new Chat features with everyone in your contacts, but support is expanding quickly. Verizon finally hopping on board for at least a couple of devices is another big step forward.