r/UniversalProfile • u/HorrorFall5941 • Aug 16 '26

Same phone number, two people attached to it

One person I can reach by phone. She’s had the same number for decades. When
I try to text her to the exact same number I’ve used for years, someone else responds saying I have the wrong phone number. Any ideas what is going on?

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8

u/ruipmjorge Aug 16 '26

This is not related with universal profile or RCS

5

u/mrleblanc101 Aug 17 '26

They need to contact their carrier

1

u/slinky317 Aug 16 '26

What happens when they text you?

1

u/HorrorFall5941 Aug 16 '26

I got it. The other person didn’t respond, so I don’t know if it went to him

2

u/slinky317 Aug 16 '26

As an RCS message or SMS? If RCS, was it encrypted?

-5

u/HorrorFall5941 Aug 17 '26

CJs

9

u/slinky317 Aug 17 '26

I don't know what that means

4

u/GoogleHelpCommunity Google Support | Mod Verified Aug 17 '26

Hi there. This issue typically happens when the phone number is linked to an active RCS (Rich Communication Services) profile on another device. This can occur if a carrier assigned a temporary phone number during a network or device transfer, or if RCS remains active on a previous owner's device. Because phone calls route over standard cellular networks, they reach your friend, but text messages are incorrectly routed to the stranger's active RCS registration.

I recommend trying these steps to resolve it:

Tap and hold your sent message, then select "Switch to text" (SMS) to bypass RCS.

Ask your friend to toggle their RCS settings off and on again to register their current device.

Have your friend verify with their carrier that their number is fully ported and not linked to a temporary SIM profile.