how I fixed my RCS messages not working.
ever since it was announced that Apple was to finally support RCS messaging on iPhone, I was excited to try it out. As soon as iOS 18 debuted, I immediately installed it. after the update, I noticed. that RCS didn't work. the toggle in settings showed that RCS was on but it didn't show that it was enabled in the message box.
My RCS messaging conundrum was happening on the iPhone 13 Pro Max (I loved that device) on the T-Mobile Network. In the beginning, I tried all the troubleshooting techniques to resolve the issue. None of them worked. I called T-Mobile Customer Care to find out what to do to fix it. On the first call, the customer service representative didn't even know what RCS messaging was. I tried a second call and a third. On the second call, we tried swapping out e-sim. It didn't work. On the third call, I was told to go to Apple. After speaking with Apple, I was told that only the carrier has the control to fix that issue. Apple was Correct. I also noticed that under IMS Status under E-SIM in settings voice and sms were only allowed.
I decided to wait until iOS 18.1 was available to see if any software glitches remedied the issue. That confirmed to not have worked, but under RCS messages I noticed "waiting for activation" under the RCS toggle. I decided to call back T-Mobile a 4th time. This time they spun a new reason stating that they are still updating their system and only newer iPhones (iPhone 15 and 16) are working with RCS messaging. That was a total lie as my niece's iPhone 13 Pro had RCS working on the account and a friend's iPhone XR had RCS working as well.
After a month I decided to upgrade to the iPhone 16 Pro Max (reluctantly) to see if it would fix the problem. I only decided to do so thinking maybe the device was having an issue because it was blacklisted by Verizon; whom I was never a customer of. I called T-Mobile to install a new e-sim and that too did not rectify the problem of RCS messages not being capable. while trying to fix the problem, the customer rep (attempt number 5) told me once more that their system is still being updated so that RCS can work reliably. at that point, I didn't buy that and said that it was something with my line. After being told that I should go to the store and get a warranty exchange, I was proven right that customer care didn't have a clue.
Sorry for the long drawn-out story. Knowing that it was my line with T-Mobile was the issue, as a last-ditch effort along with being disgusted with the customer service, I ported my main line out of T-Mobile and switched to AT&T. Once I switched that same day, RCS messages started to work. all T-Mobile had to do was cancel or delete my line and reinstall it and everything would've worked fine. However, they didn't think to do that as a solution, which I did myself. That being said, if you do want RCS messages to work and none of the troubleshooting works to fix it on a carrier that supports it, try porting out your line to another carrier.
