IMPORTANT: We’re sunsetting Cricket’s Advanced Messaging RCS in June 2026. After this time RCS messaging will only be available to Android users with the Google Messages application. More information about switch to Google Messages
Rich Communication Services (RCS) for Android
We’re excited to continue featuring the Google Messages application on new Android smartphones. This offers RCS to a growing number of popular smartphones from Samsung and more. RCS functions between many major U.S. and international wireless carriers and offers enhanced features like read and delivery receipts, typing indicators, larger file transfers, and larger group chats. 
Customers using RCS services enjoy the ability to:
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Send larger file attachments than with MMS, such as higher-definition photos and longer or higher-resolution videos 
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Host up to 100 participants in larger group chats, which is an increase from the previous SMS/MMS messaging limit of 20 participants.
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Easily add to and leave an existing message thread
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See when your messages are delivered and when they are read. 
For information on RCS on iPhone click here. 
You can use Advanced Messaging RCS if you: 
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Are a Cricket customer with an Android smartphone that supports Advanced Messaging RCS
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Have an Android smartphone featuring the Google Messages app that has RCS chats enabled and a “Connected†status
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Have up-to-date software installed on your smartphone
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Do not have a conflicting feature on your account. If you have one of these features, remove them from your account for Advanced Messaging to work: 
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Have SMS, MMS, or other data blocks you have added to your account. 
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Can use RCS outside AT&T’s network coverage area with Wi-Fi data if Wi-Fi Calling is enabled. 
How to Manage Advanced Messaging 
You can manage Advanced Messaging, including turning it off, in the Messaging settings menu. In the phone’s messaging app, go to Settings and tap Advanced Messaging to turn Advanced Messaging on or off.
See the Google Messages support page for more information.
Frequently Asked Questions about Advanced Messaging
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IMPORTANT: We’re sunsetting Cricket’s Advanced Messaging RCS in June 2026. After this time RCS messaging will only be available to Android users with the Google Messages application. More information about switch to Google Messages
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More of your messages will be in SMS or MMS format rather than RCS.
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Key RCS features such as typing notifications, delivery and read receipts, larger file sharing, and groups won’t be available.
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You may get dropped from a group RCS chat without being notified.
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An attempt to send a group message could fail, and you may need to create a new group in order to continue with the same message participants.
Advanced Messaging is only available on select Android smartphones. To enjoy the benefits of Advanced Messaging, you and the person you’re messaging will need Advanced Messaging-capable devices. The ability to share fields up to 100MB, along with group messages with up to 100 participants, will vary depending on the smartphones being used.
For a better Android RCS messaging experience offering more features and RCS interoperability with more devices, including iPhones, we recommend that you download and use Google Messages on your Android smartphone.
