RCS has received a much-needed boost after Apple adopted it recently with iOS 18. However, it is still limited to smartphones, and Google plans to expand RCS to Wear OS smartwatches. It is being reported that the Google Messages app, which is now being pushed as Samsung's default messaging app, could soon be able to send RCS messages via Galaxy Watches.
Galaxy Watches may soon be able to send RCS messages using Google Messages
In the latest beta version (v20240926) of Google Messages, Android Authority spotted some code strings related to RCS on Wear OS-based smartwatches. Those code strings are listed below.
bugle.enable_wear_standalone_rcs
bugle.enable_wear_standalone_rcs_settings
bugle.enable_wear_standalone_voice_message
In the code strings above, ‘bugle' likely refers to Google Messages, while ‘wear' refers to Wear OS. The term ‘standalone' likely means independent. So, it is likely that Google is planning to release the ability to send and receive RCS messages directly on Wear OS-based smartwatches like the Galaxy Watch 7 and the Galaxy Watch Ultra.
Right now, the messages sent and received on your Galaxy Watch are routed through the Google Messages app on the paired smartphone. If you lose access to your smartphone, you can't send or receive RCS messages. And this is the case for both Wi-Fi-only and smartwatches with Wi-Fi and cellular (LTE) connectivity.
With the upcoming improvements to Google Messages, though, you will likely be able to send and receive RCS messages regardless of whether or not you have your phone with you. So, even if you leave your phone behind when you go out for a run, you won't miss out on RCS messages from family members and friends.
There is no information on when exactly this feature will be released, though. We hope it will come to all Galaxy Watches running Wear OS so that many people can use the feature.
