Samsung’s Wear OS watches could soon get standalone RCS support

Your Samsung Galaxy Watch could soon get standalone RCS support. Google is preparing to roll out standalone RCS to Wear OS smartwatches with a future Messages app update. Galaxy Watch users will also benefit alongside Pixel Watch users.

EU forced Apple to adopt the RCS messaging standard in its iOS. The decision brought rich communication standard features into the limelight. Now, Google is working to enhance RCS usability on its Wear OS platform.

AndroidAuthority discovered some flags within Google Messages v20240926, suggesting standalone RCS arrival on Wear OS. The addition of new flags suggests that the company is preparing to roll out independent RCS support.

At present Wear OS doesn’t support native RCS messaging on watches. You need to keep your watch paired to the smartphone to send and receive messages. An updated Google Messages version would address the support concern.

Google Messages on Wear OS indeed has a relatively smaller user base than Android. Since smartwatches have small screens, users refrain from typing longer text while replying, still, it’s a welcome move slated to end lack of support.

The move is to make Google Messages function the same as WhatsApp. The latter is available as a native application on Wear OS, whereas Google Messages on Wear OS essentially mirrors the Google Messages app on your phone.