Google Messages Removing Per-Contact RCS Toggle Option
Google Messages is working to eliminate the ability to disable RCS messaging on a per-contact basis, according to an APK teardown analysis. Users currently can toggle "Only send SMS and MMS messages" for specific conversations, but this option will soon disappear. Google is expected to notify users through the app before fully removing the feature, leaving only the options to disable RCS entirely or keep it enabled for all contacts.
Google Messages currently allows users to selectively disable Rich Communication Services for individual conversations, forcing the app to send only traditional SMS and MMS messages to those contacts. This granular control option will soon be eliminated, leaving users with only all-or-nothing settings: either RCS enabled globally across all conversations or completely disabled throughout the app. The removal appears imminent based on code strings discovered in the beta version, which reference an in-app notification warning users of the change and offering an option to switch settings before automatic implementation occurs.
This change could affect messaging flexibility for Android users who rely on per-contact controls for spam management or compatibility reasons. Users who prefer SMS/MMS communication with specific contacts will lose granular choice, potentially frustrating those who value customization. The shift may also impact those in regions with unreliable RCS infrastructure or those communicating with users on older platforms. While consolidating settings may simplify the app's interface, the modification could restrict user autonomy in how they manage their communications, potentially creating friction among privacy-conscious or spam-sensitive users who previously leveraged this feature.