For millions in Kenya and Africa at large, juggling two SIM cards is the norm. This often means sacrificing the rich features of RCS messaging when forced to use the second SIM with plain old SMS. But Google Messages is about to change the game with dual SIM RCS support.
Earlier this month, @AssembleDebug shared images on X showcasing the settings menu of the Google Messages app, revealing the upcoming ability to have RCS enabled on two SIM cards simultaneously. This feature will let users initiate RCS chats with individuals from either of the two SIM cards in their dual SIM smartphones.
The leaked screenshots suggest you can switch between SIM cards within an RCS chat. This means keeping the conversation flow even if you need to switch lines. However, it’s unclear if the recipient will also have chats from different SIM cards appear under a single chat. Currently, it’s possible to enable RCS for only one SIM card even if your phone has two SIM cards inside like most people around here.
I’m part of the Google Messages beta testing program yet I don’t have this feature. So my guess is it’s still hidden behind some flag or probably part of the dev channel, if there’s one. But one thing’s clear: Google’s on the right track considering Android devices have had dual SIM support for longer than I can remember.
Below are screenshots showing RCS enabled for two SIM cards in one phone.
