Currently, most Android devices with the Messages app can verify SMS messages. However, some devices may need additional configuration. Prepare your test devices with the following steps to ensure that it can receive and process Verified SMS messages.

Prerequisites

Before you get started, you need an Android device with an active phone number that can receive SMS messages.

Additionally, you need your Verified SMS Google account.

Get the Messages app

1. On your test device, sign in with your Verified SMS Google account.
2. Using your Verified SMS Google account, install the Messages app on the Play Store.

Enable RCS

Before you can test Verified SMS, you need to enable RCS on your device. Open the Messages app and follow in-app instructions to enable enhanced messaging features, including validating your phone number.

If prompted, you must agree to

• Use the Messages app as your default app for SMS
• Validate your phone number
• Ignore battery optimizations

Confirm Verified SMS functionality

To confirm that Verified SMS is enabled on your device, open the Messages app, tap the more_vert button, then tap Settings. If Verified SMS appears in Settings, Verified SMS is enabled on your device.

If Verified SMS doesn't appear in Settings, Verified SMS isn't enabled on your device. It can take up to 5 days for Verified SMS to be enabled on a Verified SMS Google account.

Troubleshooting

If you have issues configuring your device to receive Verified SMS messages, attempt the following steps.

Apps

Confirm that you have the correct version of the Messages app

1. On the home screen, long-press the Messages app, then tap the info button.

2. Tap Advanced, then locate your version number at the bottom of the menu.

   • If you have version 5.1 or lower, get the correct version of the app.
   • If you have version 5.2 or greater, continue to the next section.

Confirm that you're logged into the Play Store with your Verified SMS Google account

1. On your device, open the Play Store.
2. Tap your profile icon.
3. Review the list of accounts that are signed in.
   • If your Verified SMS Google account isn't listed, tap Add another account to sign in, then get the Messages app.
   • If your Verified SMS Google account is listed, continue to the next section.

RCS

Only perform these steps if you successfully completely all steps in Apps.

Confirm that your device is RCS-enabled

1. In the Messages app, tap the more_vert button, then tap Settings

2. Tap Chat features, and find the Status value.

   • If Status displays Connected but you can't receive Verified SMS messages, continue to Verified SMS troubleshooting.
   • If RCS is not active, continue to the next section.

Opt into the Carrier Services beta

1. Navigate to the Carrier Services beta opt-in.
2. Tap Become a tester.
3. Tap Download the Carrier Services app on Google Play and install the app.

4. Check if your device is RCS-enabled.

   • If RCS isn't active, continue to the next section.

Re-provision RCS for your device

1. Turn on Airplane mode.

2. In the Settings app on your Android device, clear the Messages and Carrier Services apps' data and cache.

3. Turn off Airplane mode.

4. Open the Messages app.

5. Follow in-app instructions to enable enhanced messaging features.

6. Tap the more_vert button, then tap Settings > Chat Features, and make sure Status displays Connected.

   • If Status doesn't display Connected, contact us.
   • If Status displays Connected, continue to the next section.

Verified SMS

Only perform these steps if you successfully completely all steps in Apps and RCS.

1. Tap the more_vert button, then tap Settings > Chat Features.
2. Turn off Enable chat features.
3. Turn on Enable chat features.
4. Tap the arrow_back button, then tap Verified SMS.
5. Turn off Verify business message sender.
6. Turn on Verify business message sender.

If your device still can't receive Verified SMS messages, confirm that you have the correct version of the Messages app and that your device is RCS-enabled. If you continue having issues, contact us.

Next steps

Once you get the Messages app beta running on your test device, your device can verify messages with Verified SMS.

If you create your agent, create and update your agent's key pair, and configure message hashing, you're ready to send a verified message.