Bug 464654

Summary:	KDE Connect should be able to send RCS messages
Product:	[Applications] kdeconnect	Reporter:	Simon Redman <simon>
Component:	messaging-application	Assignee:	Simon Redman <simon>
Status:	CONFIRMED ---
Severity:	wishlist	CC:	eamonnrea, kdedev, rafael.linux.user
Priority:	NOR
Version First Reported In:	unspecified
Target Milestone:	---
Platform:	Android
OS:	Android 13.x
Latest Commit:		Version Fixed/Implemented In:
Sentry Crash Report:

Description Simon Redman 2023-01-22 15:37:33 UTC

SUMMARY
When trying to send a message to an RCS-enabled thread, KDE Connect instead sends a regular SMS or MMS.

STEPS TO REPRODUCE
(Steps not exactly known, since Android does not provide the APIs)
1. Enable RCS
2. Have someone else enable RCS
3. Send a message to that person using KDE Connect

OBSERVED RESULT
KDE Connect cannot send messages as RCS

EXPECTED RESULT
KDE Connect should send messages as RCS

SOFTWARE/OS VERSIONS
N/A -- Affects all Android versions to-date

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
This is not possible until Android enables RCS support for 3rd party apps.
Some APIs are there but, as of today, they are hidden. It might be possible to use them via reflection, but I am not willing to invest in non-stable APIs. I would gamble they do work, though, as I believe the APIs exist for Samsung or other OEMs to enable RCS support for their customers.

For example, the RcsMessage class in the latest Android SDK is hidden. https://android.googlesource.com/platform/prebuilts/fullsdk/sources/android-29/+/refs/heads/androidx-core-core-role-release/android/telephony/ims/RcsMessage.java

If someone else wants to take on this work with an implementation which fails gracefully if the APIs are not available, please feel free to do so.

Comment 1 Simon Redman 2024-03-10 00:05:47 UTC

Google publishes a sample app which could be useful to make the KDE Connect implementation https://android.googlesource.com/platform/packages/services/Telephony/+/refs/heads/main/testapps/TestRcsApp

Comment 2 Rafael Linux User 2025-08-04 09:36:10 UTC

Confirming issue and asking for a fix. Can't use KDEConnect to send messages while not fixed (SMS's have a cost in my case).

SUMMARY
For several years now, Android phones and most carriers in Spain have had the "RCS" messaging feature enabled. However, even though it's turned on, whenever I send a message from my PC using KDEConnect, it goes out as a regular SMS, which means extra charges and limitations you don't get with RCS messages. 
It's easy to check if you can send a RCS message cause when both users have it enabled, appears "RCS chat" when any of the users open a new chat with each other.


STEPS TO REPRODUCE
1. Enable RCS messaging in your Android smartphone (if not enabled yet)
2. Connect KDE to your smartphone from your PC
3. In your PC, once you have select you smarthphone, click on "mssajes" (SMS) in KDEConnect 
4. Create a new message and send it

OBSERVED RESULT
- While writing, you have a limited amount of text to write (cause KDEConnect considers a simple SMS)
- After sending it, I checked in my smartphone that message was sent as SMS, not RCS message

EXPECTED RESULT
To send message as RCS if available (it was available for both users)

SOFTWARE/OS VERSIONS
Operating System: openSUSE Tumbleweed 20250714
KDE Plasma Version: 6.4.2
KDE Frameworks Version: 6.16.0
Qt Version: 6.9.1
Kernel Version: 6.15.6-1-default (64-bit)
Graphics Platform: Wayland

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rich_Communication_Services