Why can I now only send texts by 'RCS'?

nottsphil

My Motorola g32 has now decided to restrict my use of SMS. I have had to read up on this, and one aspect is that it apparently only uses data. However, switching off mobile data and re-launching the messaging app doesn't restore SMS. I have now stopped texting people and am resorting to email because I have no idea if they are charged for 'out of bundle'. Who is responsible for this intrusion?
I've tried looking for threads on it but just got this

km1500

Go to settings cog

go to apps

scroll down to messages app

 click on the message icon with the three little dots and make that as default

nottsphil

The three in the top right here? They (and the magnifier icon) are just replaced with 'Uninstall updates'

nottsphil said:

The three in the top right here? They (and the magnifier icon) are just replaced with 'Uninstall updates'

Further down, under 'SMS app', it says yes. When tapped, it comes up with this, although I realise this doesn't mean that SMS is the default way of texting.

flaneurs_lobster

If you Google "moto g32 turn off rcs"

Then the first response is

To turn off RCS (Rich Communication Services) on a Moto G32, open the Google Messages app, tap your profile picture, go to Messages settings, then tap RCS chats, and finally, toggle off "Turn on RCS chats" 

Recon that's probably worth a go.

nottsphil

That was worth a go FL!
These features look quite useful but it looks like if your recipient doesn't have data turned on, then the picture you have sent will default to MMS, meaning iD Mobile could charge me 'out of bundle' if I hadn't set those potential charges to zero.
Would the recipient be charged too?

flaneurs_lobster

There is no charge for receiving SMS or MMS messages.

If you want to avoid the possibility of being charged for sending MMS, use one of the internet messaging apps (Whatsapp, FB Messenger etc) or, as you have, email for sending images.

nottsphil

flaneurs_lobster said:

There is no charge for receiving SMS or MMS messages.

If you want to avoid the possibility of being charged for sending MMS, use one of the internet messaging apps (Whatsapp, FB Messenger etc) or, as you have, email for sending images.

The reason I use iD instead of 3 is that you can guarantee no malicious player on the internet can get your account charged for services you haven't requested. So, is it not correct that with that setting, I can proceed with RCS knowing it will always be free* to myself and the recipients?

*if covered by free wi-fi or data bundle.

flaneurs_lobster

nottsphil said:

The reason I use iD instead of 3 is that you can guarantee no malicious player on the internet can get your account charged for services you haven't requested. 

Don't understand the differences between 3 and iD that allow you to make that assertion.

So, is it not correct that with that setting, I can proceed with RCS knowing it will always be free* to myself and the recipients?

*if covered by free wi-fi or data bundle.

You'd have to be certain that whatever limit/switch you've set on your iD account is explicit about these charges (I haven't looked this up). There are often exceptions about "additional" charges and what will/will not be allowed.

Your recipients would not be charged.

PHK

nottsphil said:

That was worth a go FL!
These features look quite useful but it looks like if your recipient doesn't have data turned on, then the picture you have sent will default to MMS, meaning iD Mobile could charge me 'out of bundle' if I hadn't set those potential charges to zero.
Would the recipient be charged too?

No, if for some reason your recipient is not online it will only change to SMS or MMS if you turn on the switch in settings to do so. 
If you don't it will just say delivery failed. 

Look in Messages/Settings/RCS Chats/ and make sure Automatically resend as a text (SMS/MMS) is turned off. 

Also when you go to write a message it tells you in the text entry box whether you are about to send and RCS message or text. 

As RCS is encrypted and sent using your data there's much less chance of an unexpected charge than there is with an SMS. 

nottsphil

flaneurs_lobster said:

nottsphil said:

The reason I use iD instead of 3 is that you can guarantee no malicious player on the internet can get your account charged for services you haven't requested. 

Don't understand the differences between 3 and iD that allow you to make that assertion.

So, is it not correct that with that setting, I can proceed with RCS knowing it will always be free* to myself and the recipients?

*if covered by free wi-fi or data bundle.

You'd have to be certain that whatever limit/switch you've set on your iD account is explicit about these charges (I haven't looked this up). There are often exceptions about "additional" charges and what will/will not be allowed.

Your recipients would not be charged.

What is or isn't included is irrelevant. Bill capping means you can restrict the total of all your out-of-bundle charges to a maximum of £0, £5, £10 etc.

flaneurs_lobster

nottsphil said:

flaneurs_lobster said:

nottsphil said:

The reason I use iD instead of 3 is that you can guarantee no malicious player on the internet can get your account charged for services you haven't requested. 

Don't understand the differences between 3 and iD that allow you to make that assertion.

So, is it not correct that with that setting, I can proceed with RCS knowing it will always be free* to myself and the recipients?

*if covered by free wi-fi or data bundle.

You'd have to be certain that whatever limit/switch you've set on your iD account is explicit about these charges (I haven't looked this up). There are often exceptions about "additional" charges and what will/will not be allowed.

Your recipients would not be charged.

What is or isn't included is irrelevant. Bill capping means you can restrict the total of all your out-of-bundle charges to a maximum of £0, £5, £10 etc.

Ah, that's good. The Vodafone "Spend Manager" that I'm familiar with has a screed of options (including Picture Messaging) and a list of stuff that isn't covered (eg charity donations by SMS).