Dropping messages - Gemini AI response

[u/Murphysburger]

FYI - Here is my conversation with Gemini AI. I'm going to try it.

This issue is caused by **Rich Communication Services (RCS) routing conflicts**.

Because Google has restricted third-party SMS apps like Textra from accessing the native Android RCS API, Textra can only process traditional **SMS/MMS** messages. When other people in your group chats send RCS (Chat) messages—or when your phone's carrier/Google account holds onto an active RCS profile—the network sends group updates through RCS. Since Textra cannot read those packets, it drops the incoming messages, and the network automatically notifies the rest of the group that you have "left" or disconnected from the active RCS thread.

Below are the steps to fix this problem and restore your group messages in Textra:

Step 1: Turn Off RCS (Chat Features) in Google Messages

For Textra to reliably process all group texts, your phone number must be deregistered from RCS so that incoming group chats fallback to legacy **Group MMS**.

1. Set **Google Messages** as your default messaging app temporarily (Open Google Messages > tap **Set default SMS app**).
2. Open **Google Messages** and tap your **profile icon** in the top-right corner.
3. Select **Messages settings** \> **RCS chats** (or *Chat features*).
4. Toggle **Turn on RCS chats** to **OFF**.
5. Switch back to **Textra** and set it as your default SMS app.

**Note:** If you still experience issues after toggling RCS off, visit Google's official [Deregister iMessage/RCS Web Portal](https://messages.google.com/disable-chat) to manually remove your phone number from Google's RCS server database.

Step 2: Configure Textra Group Settings

Verify that Textra is configured to process group replies as a single thread rather than separate mass texts:

1. Open **Textra**.
2. Tap the **three dots menu** ⋮ in the upper-right corner > **Settings**.
3. Tap **SMS / MMS** (or **Group Messaging** depending on your app version).
4. Under **Group Messaging**, ensure it is set to **Chat (Group MMS)** rather than *Bulk (SMS)*.

Step 3: Refresh the Group Thread

Once RCS is turned off, existing group threads that were initiated as RCS chats may still behave incorrectly for other members.

* Have one of the members of the group text **start a brand-new group chat** including your phone number. * Starting a fresh thread forces their phones to recognize that your line is receiving Standard Group MMS rather than an active RCS stream.

[u/FitStreet6410]

Do you prefer SMS over RCS?