Missing RCS read-receipts in Google Messages isn't exactly a new issue, but it's reportedly widespread now

If you’ve recently found yourself scratching your head over why your messages aren’t showing those reassuring “read” ticks, you’re not alone. What might seem like a brand-new glitch is, in fact, a long-standing bug that’s been playing hide-and-seek between iPhone and Android users for months now.

Back in December 2024, we highlighted the wild ride of RCS read receipts, painting a vivid picture of a messaging experience that was as unpredictable as a rollercoaster, leaving many to wonder if the thrills were worth the chills.

Fast forward to January 2025, when Android Authority jumped into the conversation. Their report detailed growing concerns over RCS issues, prompting Google to step in with a surprising admission: the culprit was not a failing Android feature, but rather a bug on Apple’s end. This revelation added a twist to the tale, shifting the focus squarely onto the tech giant known for its polished ecosystem.

This week, 9to5Google brought the matter back into the spotlight this month. Their report on missing read receipts in Google Messages underlined that the issue was not isolated but part of a broader, lingering problem that many users have been quietly grappling with.

And as if the timing weren’t ironic enough, some tech experts had already been skeptical about Apple’s RCS rollout back in October. Pocket-lint reported that the much-anticipated feature was “not a success,” hinting at potential pitfalls long before the read receipt fiasco came into full view.

So, what’s the bottom line? Despite the flurry of recent reports and 9to5Google‘s claim that the issue started last week after the update to stable version 20250131_02_RC00 and even the latest beta, the issue with missing RCS read receipts isn’t exactly new. It’s been quietly bugging users for months, and as more people start feeling the pinch in their daily digital conversations, the pressure is mounting on both Apple and Google to iron out the kinks.

In the meantime, as we wait for a definitive fix, it might be a good idea to take these missing ticks in stride. After all, with this new cross-platform messaging between iOS and Android users, a few bugs here and there are almost par for the course — even if they do leave us longing for a little more digital confirmation now and then.

Stay tuned for more updates as the story unfolds, and here’s hoping that the next notification you send comes with a “read” that’s as reliable as your morning coffee.