RCS Stuck on Setting Up or Verifying Number: How to Fix

Check What Is Causing the Problem

RCS (Rich Communication Services) activation typically involves connecting to your carrier’s messaging server and verifying your phone number. When the process gets stuck on “Setting up” or “Verifying number,” the issue often originates from one of a few common areas: network connectivity, carrier compatibility, app data corruption, or settings that interfere with the verification handshake.

Before changing any settings, determine whether the problem is limited to RCS or affects messaging in general. Try sending a standard SMS or MMS. If basic texts work but RCS stalls, the likely culprit is the RCS provisioning process itself. Also note whether you are using the default messaging app provided by your phone manufacturer or a third-party app such as Google Messages. Different apps handle RCS configuration differently.

Another useful diagnostic step is to check whether your carrier supports RCS on your specific device and plan. Some carriers require RCS to be enabled on the account side, and prepaid plans or MVNOs may not support it at all. A quick visit to your carrier’s support page or a call to customer service can confirm this without making unnecessary changes.

Network and Connectivity Checks

RCS relies on a stable data connection, either mobile data or Wi‑Fi. A weak or intermittent connection can cause the setup process to time out or fail silently.

Start by toggling Airplane Mode on and off after about 10 seconds. This forces the device to re‑register with the network. If you are on mobile data, try switching to Wi‑Fi (or the reverse) and then attempting the RCS setup again.

If you use a VPN, disable it temporarily. Some VPN configurations interfere with the connection to Google’s or the carrier’s RCS servers. Similarly, any ad‑blocking or firewall app that filters traffic at the network level may block the necessary ports.

Check that your device’s date, time, and time zone are set to automatic. A mismatch can break the encryption handshake used during RCS verification. Go to your system settings, find the date and time options, and ensure “Automatic date and time” and “Automatic time zone” are enabled.

Carrier Services and App Updates

Google provides a supporting app called Carrier Services that handles RCS backend communication on many Android devices. If this app is missing, outdated, or malfunctioning, RCS activation may stall.

Open the Google Play Store and search for “Carrier Services.” If the app is not installed, install it. If it is installed, make sure it is updated to the latest version. After updating, clear its cache and data through the system settings: go to Settings > Apps > Carrier Services > Storage > Clear Cache, then Clear Data. Restart the phone afterward.

Next, check your messaging app for updates. For Google Messages, open its listing in the Play Store and tap Update if available. The same applies to Samsung Messages or any other app that supports RCS. An outdated app may not handle the current RCS standards correctly.

Clear App Data for the Messaging App

Clearing the cached and stored data for the messaging app itself often resolves RCS setup loops. This step does not delete your text messages if you back them up first, but it will remove the app’s temporary settings and force a fresh RCS registration.

Important: On many devices, clearing the app data will not delete your SMS/MMS history as long as you have a system backup enabled or the messages are stored separately. However, to be safe, use your messaging app’s built‑in backup feature or a third‑party backup tool before proceeding.

Go to Settings > Apps > [Your Messaging App] > Storage. Tap Clear Cache first, then Clear Storage or Clear Data. Confirm the action. After that, open the messaging app again. It will ask you to set it as the default SMS app and may restart the RCS setup process automatically. Follow the on‑screen prompts and wait for a few minutes to see if it completes.

Remove and Re‑insert the SIM Card

Sometimes the phone number associated with RCS is not being read correctly from the SIM. Power off the device, remove the SIM card, wait about 30 seconds, then re‑insert it. Power the phone back on and try the RCS setup again. This forces the device to re‑read the SIM’s identity information, which can resolve verification mismatches.

Reset Mobile Network Settings

If the above steps do not help, resetting your mobile network settings can clear any misconfigured APN (Access Point Name) or network preferences that are blocking RCS provisioning. This will remove saved Wi‑Fi networks and paired Bluetooth devices, so note them down if needed.

Go to Settings > General Management (or System) > Reset > Reset Mobile Network Settings. Confirm the reset. The phone will restart automatically. Afterward, reconnect to your Wi‑Fi network, then open the messaging app and check RCS status.

Manually Edit APN Settings

In a small number of cases, the default APN may lack the required fields for RCS. Check your carrier’s support page for the correct APN settings, especially the “IMS” and “Bearer” fields. To access APN settings, go to Settings > Connections > Mobile Networks > Access Point Names. Select your current APN and verify that the “APN type” includes “default,supl,mms,ims” (or a similar string recommended by the carrier). If “ims” is missing, add it, save the changes, and then try RCS setup again.

This step should only be attempted with guidance from your carrier; incorrect APN values can break mobile data and messaging entirely.

Force RCS Re‑Registration Using a Code

Google Messages includes a hidden diagnostic menu that can trigger a fresh RCS registration attempt. Open the Google Messages app and tap your profile picture or account icon in the top‑right corner. Select “Messages settings,” then “Chat features.” If the status shows “Setting up” or “Trying to verify,” look for an option that says “Resend verification” or “Retry.” Some versions of the app also allow you to turn off RCS, wait a few seconds, and turn it back on. This can kick‑start the verification process.

For some devices, dialing a specific MMI code can reset network provisioning. However, these codes vary widely by carrier and device model, and there is no universal code for RCS re‑registration. Instead, contact your carrier and ask them to reset your IMS/RCS provisioning on their end. This is a common support request that they can handle remotely.

If the Problem Continues

After trying the fixes above, if RCS remains stuck, consider the following possibilities:

Carrier‑specific issues: Some carriers roll out RCS support in phases or only support RCS between their own subscribers. Check whether your carrier fully supports the universal RCS profile (as opposed to a proprietary version).

Dual‑SIM complications: If your device has two SIM slots, RCS may only work on the primary SIM. Try switching the SIM you intend to use to the primary slot.

Device compatibility: Older devices or those with custom ROMs may lack the required Google Play Services or IMS framework. Verify that your phone is compatible with RCS on your carrier.

Google account conflict: Signing out of your Google account in the Messages app and signing back in can sometimes resolve a hung registration. Go to Messages settings > Chat features > see if there is an option to disconnect or sign out, then reconnect.

If none of these steps work, the most reliable path is to contact your carrier’s technical support. Ask them to verify that RCS is enabled for your line and to reset your IMS provisioning. Provide them with your device model, the messaging app version, and the exact error message or status you see. They can often push a network refresh that triggers a successful verification.

Alternatively, you can wait a day or two. RCS activation sometimes resolves on its own after the carrier’s provisioning server updates.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will clearing messaging app data delete my text messages?

Clearing the app data usually removes the app’s local settings and cache, but not the actual SMS/MMS database stored by the system. However, to be safe, back up your messages before performing this step, because behavior can vary by device manufacturer and software version.

Does RCS work over Wi‑Fi?

Yes, RCS can work over both mobile data and Wi‑Fi. If you are stuck on verification, try switching between the two to rule out network-related issues.

Why does RCS show “Setting up” for days?

A prolonged “Setting up” status usually indicates that the initial provisioning request did not reach the carrier’s server, or that the server responded with an error that the app could not process. The fixes described in this article, especially clearing Carrier Services data and resetting network settings, address most of these cases.

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Rino Tota

Writer and Explorer at GloboSoft

Technology enthusiast with extensive experience in the digital world. With a degree in engineering and years of experience in the tech industry, I'm dedicated to exploring the constantly evolving digital world and translating technological advances into a language accessible to everyone.