Fix For Google Messages Stuck On Verifying Phone Number - Unable To Activate Chat Features
However, some users have had trouble getting this service to activate. So I am going to walk though some possible solutions to fix these issues.
Update 11/24/2022- Google Duo is now called Google Meet, the process is still the same.
Google Messages Chat features is tied in with Google Duo which comes installed by default on most Android Phones. Google has these two features tied together and interlocked. Sometimes, Google's servers thinks since your Duo account is verified with your phone number that chat features has been verified too and thus won't send the confirmation text to activate chat features since it thinks they are already activated. To fix this issue, do the following:
Disable Chat Features in the Google Messages App
Open Google Duo
Select your Google Duo Account
DELETE your Due Account as show above
Now Open Google Messages and turn on Chat Features
Your chat features should now enable. If they don't enable right away, Open Google Duo and verify your phone number, once that is completed, Chat Features should enable in a few minutes giving you access to RCS.
If Google Duo Fix does not work
If the Google Duo fix does not work, then the next step to try is resetting Carrier Services and Messages. To do this, do the following:
- Turn on Air Plane Mode
- Go to Settings---> Apps
- Search for Google Messages
- Force Stop Google Messages
- Clear Messages Cache
- Clear Messages Data
- Search for Carrier Services from the Apps Screen
- Force Stop Carrier Services
- Clear Carrier Services Cache
- Clear Carrier Services Data
- Turn Off Airplane Mode
- Restart Phone
- Try to enable Chat Features again
This will usually kick things into gear after the Duo fix allowing Chat Features to enable.
Last Resort
If the above two fixes do not work, then that means you have requested or tried to many times to enable chat features and have been temporarily blocked. The good news is that this block is only temporary.
First use the following form to Deregister RCS If successful, your number will be deregistered from the system in 7-10 business days(means weekends don't count) If you get an error message such as "Needing Carrier or Assistance" or "Requested Code too many times" do not worry about it, doing this is optional.
What you need to do now is this:
YOU MUST WAIT 9 DAYS EXACTLY FOR THE JIBE CLOUD TO DEREGISTER YOUR NUMBER AND REMOVE THE BLOCK
Any attempt to re-try enabling chat features resets this 9 day block timer. So for example, if you last tried enabling RCS on May 22 at 11 am then you should not attempt to re-enable chat features again until May 30th at 12 pm.
So in Google Messages, disable chat features and do not attempt to turn it back on for 9-10 days. Even if the app prompts you too.
The most common cause of Chat Features erroring out like this, and getting your activation blocked is usually the result of switching messaging clients, like changing to Samsung Messages from Google Messages but not disabling Chat Features in Google Messages before making the switch.
Once you have waited the 9-10 days and got Chat Features back, if you ever want to switch Messaging Clients again in the future and not be blocked from chat features you MUST:
- Disable Chat Features inside the Google Messages
- Then Change to the messaging app of your choice
If you ever decide you want to switch back to Google Messages you must wait 24 hours before attempting to re-enable chat features or you will get blocked again for 9-10 days.
This is just how the system is set up. I don't see this changing anytime soon as allowing people to spam activations is a security risk.
Anyways, I hope this information is useful and helps some folks out there. Until next time, Take Care!
Disclaimer: I am not responsible for anything that may happen to your PC when changing settings or changing registry values. If you choose to make changes, you do so at your own risk.. You are solely responsible for any damage to your computer , data, or other hardware due to user error, inadequate cooling, too high of voltages, incorrect software settings, and any other factors. Please remember to back up your computer before attempting this. If overclocking, Do not Overclock on the stock AMD or Intel CPU Heatsink and fans. Use Aftermarket cooling heat sinks of sufficient TDP or water cooling to ensure best chance of not having premature hardware failure. As always, remember to backup your data before attempting any change. I am not responsible for data loss or damage of any kind.
