If you’ve seen the message ‘Sent as SMS via server’ next to the text messages you send, there’s no need for concern. This article explains what this message means on Android, its causes, and how to potentially fix it.
Understanding ‘Sent as SMS via Server’
Causes of ‘Sent as SMS via Server’ Message
When you send a message using Google’s Rich Communication Services (RCS) protocol, you might see ‘Sent as SMS via server.’ Unlike traditional SMS texts, which are sent directly from one device to another over cellular networks, RCS messages pass through a server. This server acts as an intermediary, routing messages efficiently between different mobile networks and SMS gateways.
RCS supports sending multimedia messages (like images and videos) over Wi-Fi and can send messages to multiple recipients. However, it only works on Android devices and requires an internet connection. If the recipient’s device doesn’t support RCS, the message is sent as an SMS instead, and you’ll see ‘Sent as SMS via server.’ This is similar to status notifications like ‘Sent’ or ‘Failed’ that you’re used to seeing next to SMS messages.
Scenarios for ‘Sent as SMS via Server’
You may see ‘Sent as SMS via server’ in the following cases:
- The recipient has an iPhone.
- The recipient has an older Android device or a non-smartphone.
- The recipient has RCS chats turned off.
- The recipient is not connected to the internet.
In these cases, RCS messages automatically convert to SMS, and any multimedia elements convert to MMS.
How to Turn Off the ‘Sent as SMS via Server’ Message
While ‘Sent as SMS via server’ is not an error message and doesn’t require fixing, you can take steps to revert to regular delivery notifications if you prefer not to see it. Here are a few methods:
Turn On SMS Delivery Reports
- Open the Messages app.
- Tap your profile icon in the upper-right corner.
- Go to Settings > Advanced.
- Enable Get SMS delivery reports.
This change will replace ‘Sent as SMS via server’ with traditional notifications like ‘Sent,’ ‘Delivered,’ or ‘Failed.’
Clear the Messages App Cache
Clearing the cache can resolve temporary bugs that might interfere with RCS messaging:
- Go to Settings on your phone.
- Tap Apps or Applications.
- Find and select Messages.
- Tap Storage.
- Select Clear Cache.
Turn Off RCS Chats
Disabling RCS chats will stop the ‘Sent as SMS via server’ message from appearing:
- Open the Messages app.
- Go to Settings.
- Select Chat Features or RCS Chats.
- Turn off Enable chat features.
Note that turning off RCS chats means your messages won’t be end-to-end encrypted, and multimedia messages will consume more mobile data.
Turn On RCS Chats
Alternatively, ensuring that both you and your recipients have RCS chats enabled can prevent the ‘Sent as SMS via server’ message from appearing:
- Open the Messages app.
- Go to Settings.
- Select Chat Features or RCS Chats.
- Turn on Enable chat features.
If everyone involved in the conversation has RCS chats enabled, messages should go through as RCS without converting to SMS.
Conclusion
The ‘Sent as SMS via server’ message on Android is a status notification indicating that an RCS message was sent as an SMS. While it’s not an error, you can adjust your settings to revert to traditional delivery notifications. Whether you enable delivery reports, clear your app cache, or manage your RCS chat settings, these steps can help you customize your messaging experience.
