Find out how to see when the person you're texting on your Android device has read your message. Most Android users can now enable read receipts, a feature that was previously only available to iPhone users and on some messaging apps like WhatsApp and Facebook Messenger. As long as you and the person you're texting both use modern Android phones that support RCS (a new messaging system), have RCS-powered texting apps like Android Messages or Samsung Messages, and have activated read receipts, you will be able to see when your correspondent has opened your text message. Other SMS apps may also support RCS, but these two apps come preinstalled on most Android devices and work well together.
Steps
Method 1 of 2: Android Messages
Step 1. Open the Android Messages app
Its icon is blue and contains a white text bubble. Android Messages is the official Android SMS application and comes preinstalled on most Android devices that are not developed by Samsung. If you are using another SMS app, you can download Android Messages from the Google Play Store.
- To see read receipts in the Messages app, you and the person you're texting must be using an SMS app that supports RCS and also have read receipts enabled.
- To view read receipts, an Internet connection is required. So you will need to turn on Wi-Fi or cellular data.
Step 2. Tap the three-dot menu ⋮
It's at the top right of the app.
Step 3. Tap Settings on the menu
Your menu Settings will open.
Step 4. Tap Chat Features
This can be found in the Settings menu. You will now see some settings that can be activated.
Step 5. Activate
chat features. The switch will turn green or blue to indicate that these new features are enabled.
- Depending on your region, you may be asked to activate these features through a service called Jibe Mobile by Google. If so, it just means that your provider has not fully configured the RCS system. Jibe Mobile is therefore a solution to this problem! You just need to read the terms of use and agree to them if you wish to continue.
- If you can't enable chat features, you won't be able to use read receipts. Your provider may not support RCS, or your version of Android may be too old.
Step 6. Activate
the Send read receipts switch.
Once enabled, you will be able to see when another Android Messages user (who has also enabled read receipts) has read your text.
- If you want to be able to see when your correspondent is typing (and vice versa), you can also activate Display input indicators.
Step 7. Send an SMS while connected to the Internet
When your friend (who has also enabled read receipts) reads your message, you will see the word Read and the date below. Your friend will see the same indicator when you read their message.
- You'll know whoever sent or received your message has chat features turned on if you see Chat Message at the top of the compose bar.
- If you are not connected to the Internet, the message will be sent by SMS instead, like a regular SMS. In this case, no read receipt will be available.
Method 2 of 2: Samsung Messages
Step 1. Open the Messages app on your Samsung Galaxy
This light green blue icon has a white outline and a chat bubble. If you are using a Samsung Galaxy Note 10, S10 or later and your mobile operator supports RCS, you can see when another Android user has read your SMS.
Samsung Messages is preinstalled on all Samsung Galaxy phones. After enabling read receipts with this method, you will be able to see when someone else who uses Samsung Messages or Android Messages (and has also enabled read receipts) has read your texts
Step 2. Tap the menu icon ⋮
These three vertical dots can be found at the top right of your messaging app.
Step 3. Tap Settings on the menu
Your email settings will open.
Step 4. Tap Message Settings
There you will find your advanced text messaging features, including the option to enable read receipts.
Step 5. Activate
the Read Receipts switch.
This option lets you know when your message is opened by your recipient (and vice versa).
- If you want to be able to see when your correspondent is typing (and vice versa), you can also activate the switch Display input indicators.
Step 6. Send an SMS while connected to the Internet
When your friend (who has also enabled read receipts) reads your message, you will see the word Read and the date below. Your friend will see the same indicator when you read their message.
- If you are not connected to the Internet, your messages will be sent by SMS. There are no read receipts with SMS.
- If you don't see read receipts from people using Android Messages, try downloading this app and using it. Samsung Messages and Android Messages are designed to work together, but problems are still possible.
Advice
- It is not possible to see if someone with an iPhone has read your SMS. IPhones use a technology called iMessage for read receipts, and it only works with other iPhones and iPads.
- On apps like WhatsApp, Facebook Messenger, and Viber, read receipts are enabled by default. However, read receipts only work on those apps' networks, not when texting your phone contacts.
- Although RCS and read receipts are now widely available, in some regions and on some Android models you may not be able to enable read receipts.
