Google Fi is Getting RCS Support for Better Messaging

BY Evan Selleck

Published 14 Jan 2019

Google has big plans for RCS on Android, but it still needs to get all the wireless carriers on board before it can really blossom into the feature that users actually want.

Google doesn’t really have that same problem on its own MVNO option, Google Fi, though. The company has just announced on Monday that it will be adding RCS “Chat” support for Google Fi and a handful of devices. It will work on the company’s Pixel smartphones, as well as the Android One Moto X, LG G7, LG V35, and the Moto G6. If you want to get support for RCS Chat but don’t have one of those handsets, you’ll simply need to download the Android Messages app and be using the Pixel 3 lineup on Verizon or some Samsung-branded smartphones on T-Mobile.

Verizon, Sprint, and T-Mobile offer up some limited support for RCS, which is a more robust texting platform and the perceived successor to standard text messaging. It offers up support for better resolution images, typing indicators, texting over Wi-Fi, better group chats overall, and read receipts.

In other Google Fi news, the company is also rolling out faster international data for subscribers. It’s partnering up with the carrier Three to offer up faster, more stable LTE speeds in 33 countries where the carrier operates. And still no data fees for roaming, either.

[via Google]