{
  "id": 2116096,
  "title": "Google Messages RCS isn’t working for some users, but a weird VPN trick might fix it",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/20/google-messages-rcs-isnt-working-for-some-users-but-a-weird-vpn-trick",
  "topic": "tech",
  "section": "Tech",
  "published": "2026-08-20T10:29:50.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "TechRadar",
    "slug": "techradar",
    "url": "https://www.techradar.com/phones/samsung-galaxy-phones/google-messages-rcs-isnt-working-for-some-users-but-a-weird-vpn-trick-might-fix-it"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Google's RCS (Rich Communication Services) feature within the Messages app has been experiencing issues for some users, particularly on newer Samsung devices such as the Galaxy Z Fold 8 and Galaxy S26 Ultra. This problem often arises when users switch to a new device, leading to failed connections and error codes like 3100. A surprising solution that has proven effective is turning off RCS, connecting to a VPN, and then turning it back on, with Paris, France being suggested as a specific location to select for the VPN. While this method appears to be the most reliable, other fixes include updating Google Messages to the latest version, clearing data for Carrier Services, restarting the phone, and re-enabling RCS. If these steps do not resolve the issue, another user shared a more complex six-step process that involves stopping the app, removing the phone number from Google, turning off two-step verification, and removing Google Play Services updates. Despite the existence of multiple solutions, users are hopeful that the straightforward VPN trick will successfully bring RCS functionality back online.",
  "summary": "RCS isn't working for some Google Messages users, but an old VPN trick has reemerged as a potential solution.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}