GoKawiilGoogle Messages to drop per-contact option to disable RCS
Code strings found in a new Google Messages beta build indicate the app will remove the ability to turn off RCS for individual conversations, forcing users back to SMS/MMS only on a conversation-by-conversation basis. The strings show an in-app banner warning that the 'Only send SMS & MMS messages' setting is going away, offering users the choice to switch to RCS now or have it switched automatically.
GoKawiil's interpretation of the reporting above, not reported fact.
If the per-contact toggle disappears, the only remaining way to avoid RCS could be disabling it app-wide, reducing user control over messaging behavior. This suggests Google may be pushing broader RCS adoption to standardize features like read receipts and cross-platform messaging, though the strings do not confirm Google's stated reasoning.
- A Google Messages beta build contains strings signaling removal of the per-chat RCS toggle.
- Users would likely be limited to an all-or-nothing RCS setting once the change ships.
- The change has not been officially announced by Google and remains unconfirmed in scope or timing.
Source: androidauthority.com, 2026-10-06
Published there as: “Hope you like RCS, because Google Messages plans to remove this easy way to turn it off”
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