Some Google Fi customers are unable to get RCS to connect on their Pixel phones after installing Android 13. However, this does not appear to be a widespread problem.
Update 8/18: Google is aware of the issue and says it’s affecting “a limited number of Fi customers.” The company is working on a fix.
“We are aware that the RCS issue is affecting a limited number of Fi customers and we are actively working to resolve it.”
– Google spokesperson
Original 8/17: Since Android 13 launched on Monday, there have been several reports of RCS not working with mobile data. Rich communications services function normally on Wi-Fi for those affected, but switching to cellular results in Messages that simply say “Connecting…” in Settings > Chat Features. Going back to Wi-Fi returns the green “Connected” status and everything works again.
For our part, we don’t see this issue with RCS on two Google Fi Pixel 6a devices running Android 13 stable. Wi-Fi to mobile data transition is done normally. It’s also good on the T-Mobile and Verizon Pixel (6 Pro) phones we tested this afternoon.
Some have had this issue since Android 13 Beta and have already filed a bug report. A Google employee on the Android Issue Tracker in May said it was a security bug and recommended the following steps:
- Turn on airplane mode
- Go to Settings > Storage and clear storage for carrier services and messages (this does not delete message history)
- Turn off airplane mode
- Open Messages and try again
As of mid-June, this is Google’s latest on the matter:
Thank you for reporting this issue. We have shared this with our product and engineering team and will update this issue with more information as it becomes available.
Those who contacted Google Fi support this week received no advice on how to resolve the issue.
More on Android 13:
Thanks, Randy
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