Some New Samsung Device Owners Are Running Into RCS Messaging Issues

Some Android device owners, particularly those upgrading to new phones such as Samsung's Galaxy S26 or Galaxy Z Fold, have been experiencing issues with Rich Communication Services (RCS) messaging, according to several Reddit posts and Android-focused websites. The problem manifests as error code 3100, a connection error, when attempting to use Google Messages. Google has acknowledged the issue and is collaborating with carrier partners to resolve it promptly. Samsung has not yet commented on the matter.

Workarounds for the issue include complex steps like disabling two-step verification and removing Google Play Services updates, as well as simpler solutions like using a VPN to connect to another country before attempting RCS again. Some users have suggested a factory reset, though this may not address the problem if the issue arises after the device switch. An alternative is to turn off RCS messaging before migrating to a new Android device or switching carriers.

RCS, or Rich Communication Services, was championed by Google as a messaging standard to replace SMS, hoping Apple would adopt it. This goal was eventually realized in 2024, as Apple began supporting RCS. Samsung formally partnered with Google to ensure RCS functionality on its devices running Android. However, Samsung discontinued its Samsung Messages app in July, urging users to switch to Google's Messages app instead. Recently, both Apple and Google have added end-to-end encryption to their RCS services.