Troubleshooting iMessage and RCS
If you’ve just transferred your number to SmartLess Mobile or changed your phone number, your iMessage and RCS settings may take time to update with Apple and Google. You might experience:
- No blue message bubbles (iMessage) on your iPhone
- “Text Message” or “Send as SMS” appears in your messaging app’s text field
- The wrong or old phone number shows in your phone’s settings
Set up iMessage on iPhone
Update your number
- Go to Settings
- Tap Apps
- Tap Phone
- Tap My Number
- Make sure your current number is displayed. If not, update it.
Check your iMessage settings
- Go to Settings
- Tap Apps
- Tap Messages
- Ensure iMessage is toggled ON
- Tap Send & Receive
- Under “You can receive iMessages to and reply from,” select both your phone number and Apple ID
- Under “Start new conversations from,” select your phone number
- Restart your iPhone
Check your FaceTime settings
- Go to Settings
- Tap Apps
- Tap FaceTime
- Make sure FaceTime is ON
- Under “You can be reached by FaceTime at,” ensure both your number and Apple ID are selected
That’s it! Your iPhone should now recognize your new number across iMessage and FaceTime.
Switching from Android to iPhone?
If you’re switching from Android to iPhone, make sure to turn off RCS (Rich Communication Services) on your old Android device to avoid issues with message delivery. You can do this in the Google Messages settings on your Android phone. If you no longer have the device, you can manually disable RCS chats. After setting up your iPhone, you can re-enable RCS if needed.
Set up RCS
iPhone (iOS 18 or later)
Apple now supports RCS on iPhones. If you're not seeing RCS features (like read receipts or typing indicators) when messaging Android users:
- Make sure your iPhone is running iOS 18 or later
- Go to Settings
- Tap Apps
- Tap Messages
- Toggle RCS Messaging ON (only appears if supported by your carrier)
- Restart your iPhone
RCS rollout on iPhone is still evolving. If you don’t see the toggle, ensure you’re updated to the latest iOS version.
Android
- Open Google Messages
- Tap your profile icon (top right)
- Tap Messages settings > RCS chats
- Toggle RCS chats OFF
- Restart your phone
- Go back and toggle RCS chats ON
You may need to verify your number and wait a few minutes for RCS to activate.
Switching from iPhone to Android?
Turn off iMessage on your iPhone before removing the SIM. If iMessage stays active, incoming texts may route to your old iPhone. You can also deregister iMessage at Apple Support.