To get read receipts on Google Messages, you need to enable RCS chats within the application's settings. Read receipts are a feature of RCS (Rich Communication Services), which provides an enhanced messaging experience compared to traditional SMS/MMS.
RCS allows for features like typing indicators, larger file sharing, and, importantly, read receipts, which show you when the recipient has seen your message. For read receipts to work, both you and the person you are messaging must have RCS chats enabled and connected.
Steps to Enable RCS Chats in Google Messages
Based on the provided reference, here are the steps to enable the feature set that includes read receipts:
- Open Messages settings.
The first thing to do is open Messages by Google. - Open RCS chats.
In the Settings window, tap RCS chats at the top of the page. - Enable RCS Chats.
Follow the on-screen prompts to set up and enable RCS chats. Once connected, features like read receipts will become available.
Note: Within the RCS chat settings, you can usually find specific toggles for "Send read receipts" and "Show typing indicators." Ensure "Send read receipts" is enabled if it's not on by default after connecting to RCS.
Key Considerations for Read Receipts
- Both Parties Need RCS: Read receipts only work if both the sender and the receiver are using Google Messages (or another RCS-compatible app) and have RCS chats enabled and connected.
- Carrier Support: While widely available, RCS requires support from your mobile carrier.
- Settings Sync: Ensure your RCS chat status is "Connected" in the settings.
By following the steps to enable RCS chats, you unlock the capability for read receipts and other modern messaging features within Google Messages.
