Android Messages is getting an upgrade!

[FidoStephane]

Hey Community!

The Android Messages app is getting an upgrade today!  This upgrade will allow for Rich Communication Services, which means an even more awesome texting experience.  Most Android models released after today will have the new Android Messages build in, however it will be available for download from the Play Store to all Android devices running 4.1 and 4.4 or higher. Note that the update is rolled out to devices in batches. You'll receive a notification to update it when it's available.

So, what’s changing exactly? Android Messages now has advanced features such as Typing Indicators, Deliver Receipts, Read Receipts, Group Messaging, and Photo/file/Location Sharing capabilities. Pretty cool eh?

Note: The advanced features only work from Messages to Messages, for now at least.

Check it out today! It’s pretty awesome.

Cheers!

-FidoStephane

[Cawtau]

Hello @Kizaing,

  Yes, it's software, but it still needs to get integrated into the phone's existing software. Differing hardware can result in slightly different configurations in Android (or Windows). That's why one can't just download any available firmware for their devices. The firmwares are all device and model version specific.

  Perhaps the RCS software isn't affected by -- or doesn't affect -- the different configurations of Android (or Windows). It would still need to be tested to make sure.

Cheers

[jr97ai]

Good Afternoon,

I had the RCS text messaging on my FIDO Galaxy S7.  All of a sudden about a week or two ago its stopped working.  There is no longer an option in the messages app anymore to turn it on.  My g/f who is with FIDO using an older OS version and Galaxy S5 still has it running.  Is anyone else experiencing this?

I tried uninstalling and installing the app and it doesn't change anything.  I tried turning off the phone, pulling the sim, turning back on and repeating putting the sim back in to see if that might change anything but it still doesn't work.

Should I report this in as an issue somewhere or is this a known issue?

Thank you,

John

[FidoTerry]

Welcome to the community @jr97ai! 

That definitely shouldn't happen. Just curious, was there any apps or changes made on your phone that will be causing the interference? 

[jr97ai]

Hi FidoTerry,

I believe the messages app updated but I'm assuming that wasn't the cause.  I obviously have other apps on my phone but nothing out of the ordinary happened that I can remember.  I am really dreading the thought of reseting my phone to try and fix it but I'm assuming if others have not had an issue it must be my phone.

[FidoFaiza]

Hi @jr97ai, I can understand factory resets are not always fun but I'd definitely suggest doing that next. Make sure you back up all your data prior to doing so. Good luck!

[mzkaye729]

Hi FidoMaria,

I guess w/ your comment, does it mean I will never get the RCS update because my phone was not originally locked to any Canadian carrier so therefore cannot have "tweaked" software from a carrier that would enable RCS ? It is a purely unlocked phone that receives updates from the manufacturer, not the carrier since it was never locked to any.

For reference purposes, I am using Fido w/ a OnePlus 3 phone.

[KAPABLE-K]

@mzkaye729 the feature will come just be patient. Did you try clearing the Android Messenger app cache then restarting the phone right after? Doing that worked for me and a few others.

[mzkaye729]

Hi Kapable-K,

I've tried the following:

1. Factory reset

2. Clear app cache and data

3. Uninstalled and re-installed Android Messages

[KAPABLE-K]

@mzkaye729 dam you really want that enhancement eh  I think you did everything you could do. At this point you just need to be patient and it will come the RCS protocol is still new and with new updates and features comes new bugs that maybe needs to be iron out. I know OEM's are working to incorporate the new protocol in their own messaging apps so we will see other messaging apps with the enhancement in the near future.

[MattinToronto]

I appreciate the attempted explainations from everyone but I'm not convinced. According to Rogers VP L. Wiliams, Rogers (therefore by proxy Fido), is using Google's version of RCS specifically because it adhears to the GSMA Universal Profile and it is native to the Android OS. The idea is that the system was chosen specifically for it's universal application and therefore quick possibility of rolling out. And, while it is unlikely Rogers has the universal profile version up and running already, (seems scheduled for Q2 of '17),  there isn't a good cause for unlocked phones to not be included. Think about it, testing inhouse every Android phone or even just one per network compatible manufacturer would be time prohibitive.This is why OEMs and wireless providers stick with stock ROMs and sprinkle their propreitary apps on top, or they'd have to re-write an OS everytime a security patch came out. (Simplification to make a point). If you kept your OS stock and up to date, and keep android messages as your messaging app you ought to be golden. And besides, I'd like to know how Fido could isolate locked from unlocked models, as I could start a plan, get an locked phone, and just switch over the SIM to an unlocked model. Unless they track changes in the IMEI?? I'm still sadly leaning towards the possibility of a two tiered system of services. Not the first time BYOD plans don't have access to the same shiny fancy stuff other people do.

[FidoFaiza]

Hi everyone, just want to clarify that having an unlocked phone shouldn't delay the feature. We will get back when we have more information. Thanks. 

[Anonymous]

I would also agree with letting everybody to be patient.  I have it but I still have not used the enhanced features with anybody in a normal day to day use, I have only tested it with other members here on the Fido community to validate that it indeed works. Since not many people have started using it yet, there was no rush for me to get it right away, except for the fact that I like to try things as soon as they come out, as I am used to beta testing products and services before they hit the mainstream.

[Cawtau]

@MattinToronto Yes, the mobile providers register the IMEI numbers. When you put a SIM in a phone and turn it on, the phone/SIM needs to register on the network and phone's IMEI number is sent to service provider during this process.

  That's the whole premise behind the blocking of IMEI numbers when phones are reported stolen.

Cheers

[mzkaye729]

@FidoFaiza any updates? 

[FidoMegan]

Hey @mzkaye729

We're still looking into it! We'll update the thread as soon as we have more info.  

[tmEvol]

Is anyone else having problems texting between other RCS users?

I can text my other non-RCS friends as normal, but anyone who has RCS enabled can not send/receive texts to/from other RCS enabled users.... This started today.

Edit: quick fix solution = turn off the enhanced features to continue texting.

I tested this between my phone and my wife's phone and it worked... When I re-enable the enhanced features, it stops working. Turn it off, and it sends/receives the texts again.

[FidoAmanda]

Hey tmEvol!

What's the error message you get when you try to text each other with RCS enabled? When you have it enabled, are you able to send a text to yourself?

Let us know!

[Anonymous]

Idunno man, When I tested RCS between other RCS enabled Fido users (who are on this forum) it worked well.  

[tmEvol]

So I just turned RCS back on. I just received​ a text from my wife that she sent on Tuesday when we were having the problems. I can text with other RCS users again... But now with it turned on, in not getting the extra features like read receipts... 

[tmEvol]

@FidoAmanda

It would just be stuck in "sending" for a long time and it would then time out and say something to the effect of 'message could not be sent, tap to retry'

Edit: after a third restart, I'm getting the read receipts info again. Yay...

I have no idea what was wrong, but it was both of our phones and a couple of friends who also had the same issue.