Google Messages dual SIM RCS starts hitting stable channel, but not everywhere yet

Update 18/11/24: More Google Messages users in North America and other parts of the globe are beginning to see dual SIM RCS become available on thier devices, suggesting a wider rollout is ongoing.

Original article follows:

Google Messages fans, it’s time to pop the confetti because the long-awaited dual SIM RCS (Rich Communication Services) support is finally trickling out, and some users are starting to see it. If you’ve been keeping an eye on this, you’ll remember that back in January, the eagle-eyed folks at 9to5Google first spotted some hints buried deep in the app’s code. These strings teased multi-SIM RCS support, but the feature seemed like a distant dream at the time.

Fast-forward to last month, and a beta tester using the Nothing Phone 2 spotted the dual SIM RCS feature in action. That was the first major sign that the feature was inching closer to prime time. And now, according to a couple of delighted Samsung users, Google Messages seems to have unlocked the feature in its stable channel.

One happy user in India with Jio and Airtel SIM cards proudly shared a screenshot showing both SIM cards flaunting their RCS support. Meanwhile, another Samsung fan in the US, juggling Verizon and Mint (T-Mobile) SIM cards, confirmed the same rollout on their end. This tells us that Google may be unleashing a server-side update, slowly rolling out by region or at least kicking things off with Samsung devices.

Sadly, I can’t say the same for myself just yet. My Xiaomi phone on the latest Messages beta here in Kenya is still sitting tight without the dual SIM RCS magic. But don’t fret, hints suggest that Google Messages stable version 20240827_01_RC03 on Samsung devices is supporting this feature, so we’re on the verge of a global release. Whether you’re in Asia, Europe, or Africa, where dual SIM phones are as common as a cup of chai, the wait won’t be long before your two SIM cards can both flex their RCS muscles.

For those unaware, RCS elevates the humble SMS experience, offering features like typing indicators, read receipts, and high-res photo sharing. With dual SIM support, people who juggle multiple phone numbers, whether for work and personal use, or simply because dual SIM is the norm, can enjoy these perks across both SIMs seamlessly. Heck, even Apple’s iOS 18 recently introduced RCS support on iPhones, bridging the gap between Android and iPhone messaging for a more seamless experience across platforms.

At this point, it’s unclear how Google plans to proceed with this rollout. So, keep an eye on your Messages app for an update, and let’s see if your dual SIM setup is ready to join the RCS party.

Have you received dual SIM RCS support yet? Let us know in the comments below. And if you haven’t, don’t worry, the wait is almost over — at least, fingers crossed.