I’m receiving messages RCS but then my reply is SMS

I noticed recently that with android users, I have been receiving their messages as RCS, with text bubbles being seen when they are responding, but then when I respond back, it sends as SMS.

I have tried resetting the RCS, I have completed closed and reopened the message app, I have turned off SMS, and I have turned my phone on and off.

I think it’s super strange that I’m receiving as RCS and can only send SMS. It shows that the RCS is working but I don’t know what else to do. Does anyone have a solution on fixing this.

I have a 13 pro, currently running on iOS 18.1 but about to update to beta 18.2

iPhone 13 Pro, iOS 18

Posted on Nov 5, 2024 2:33 PM

Top-ranking reply

Bikergofast

Level 1

98 points

Posted on Jan 7, 2025 9:53 AM

Update since my last post here: I took someone's advice and reset all networks on my 15Pro and now it is holding RCS as it should for all conversations that require it. The downside was I lost all wifi passwords.

To reset your iPhone or iPad's network settings, you can do the following:

Open Settings
Select General
Select Transfer or Reset iPhone or Reset
Select Reset Network Settings
Enter your passcode if prompted
Select Reset Network Settings again

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79 replies

May 14, 2025 8:53 PM in response to mebrandenberger

Can start send text to any number I like tight

Jan 27, 2025 3:14 PM in response to mebrandenberger

Same. I made the mistake of changing a message to SMS to get an image to go through to an Android user. His messages still come through as RCS but mine are stuck on SMS now. I’ve toggled the RCS setting, etc, with no look.

Mo05e

Level 1

8 points

Feb 17, 2025 5:58 PM in response to mebrandenberger

I tried everything. Only thing that worked for me is turn off rcs then reset network settings then turn on rcs. Wait 5 mins. Send message to an android then reply from android and then wait another 5 mins. Working properly after that. Con is that you lose your wifi saved passwords…

Mar 6, 2025 5:40 PM in response to mebrandenberger

Possible fix!

This happens to me too, only with my husband who has an android on the same network. I decided to try the following, and it instantly fixed it although we’ll see if it stays fixed. Turning RCS/phone/network off and back on was no longer doing anything for me.

Delete the person’s number from their contact card (Contacts-> Select contact name-> Edit-> Delete “Phone”-> Done). Then go back to your text conversation and reconnect it (Select phone number/contact-> Info-> Add to Existing Contact-> Select contact name-> Update).

Simply deleting the number from their contact card will not delete your message history or anything else. It only severs the link. But it seems to trigger something!

It’s possible that blocking/unblocking a contact may also work the same way, but I did not test it. If the issue reoccurs, I will.

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I’m receiving messages RCS but then my reply is SMS