Google Messages stopped delivering photos and GIFs via RCS. A fix is already heading to users

Did you send a photo or GIF to a friend, but nothing arrived on the other end? You’re not alone. The Google Messages app has been acting up for some users in recent days, failing to send photos, GIFs, or stickers via RCS. Google is aware of the bug and is gradually rolling out a fix – but you might have to wait a few weeks for yours.

It’s not just GIFs and photos

Complaints have been piling up on Reddit in recent days, as reported by Android Authority. Affected users describe that with RCS enabled, no media is sent to other Android phones – whether it’s photos, GIFs, stickers, or photomoji, i.e., emojis created from one’s own pictures. What’s peculiar is that the same message sent to an iPhone with RCS enabled arrives without issues. The bug thus only manifests in conversations between two Android phones.

The usual tricks don’t work. According to users, restarting the phone, clearing the cache, or turning RCS off and on again doesn’t solve anything. However, for most affected users, temporarily switching to classic SMS and MMS helped, even though photos then arrive in noticeably worse quality. One user reports that the problem disappeared after clearing app data – but they lost their photomoji card and can no longer create new ones. Therefore, consider such an intervention more as a last resort.

When will the fix reach you?

On Friday, Google provided a statement to Android Authority. According to a spokesperson, the company is aware of a bug affecting some users that may disrupt message delivery via RCS. The fix is reportedly already being rolled out, but it will only reach everyone over the next few weeks.

On your part, you just need to ensure the app is up to date. Verify that you have automatic updates enabled in the Google Play Store, or manually search for Google Messages and tap Update. Until then, you’ll likely have no choice but to send photos via MMS or opt for a different messenger.

Have you also encountered undelivered photos in Google Messages?

Sources: Android Authority, Reddit