If you’ve been using Google Messages and wondering which of your contacts actually support Rich Communication Services (RCS), there’s good news coming your way. A subtle but impactful update is now rolling out to the app, making it easier to spot RCS-enabled contacts right from the get-go. No more second-guessing or tapping blindly through your list, Google has added a helpful visual cue that brings clarity to your conversations.

The “Start chat” floating action button in Google Messages has always taken users to a contact selection screen. This page, once labeled “New conversation,” now goes by the simpler and more appropriate name: “New chat.” The change may seem small, but it aligns with Google’s increasing focus on modern messaging through RCS. After all, the word “chat” itself suggests more than just a traditional SMS or MMS exchange, it hints at something more dynamic and interactive.

(Left) Old Interface – New Conversation and (Right) New Interface – New Chat. Image credits to 9to5google.com

What really makes this update useful, though, is the introduction of RCS badges. When browsing through your contact list, you’ll now see a badge on the right-hand side of any contact that supports RCS. It’s a quick way to know who you can share high-quality images with, enjoy typing indicators, and benefit from end-to-end encryption, without having to tap on each individual contact.

Dynamic Color theming also plays a role in this rollout. Contacts who use RCS will have their names and numbers highlighted with colors pulled from your system theme, making them stand out even more. In contrast, SMS or MMS contacts continue to show up in simple black or white text, depending on whether you’re in light or dark mode.

Before this update, figuring out if someone was using RCS meant tapping into the chat and checking whether it displayed “Text message” or “RCS message” in the typing field. It worked-but it wasn’t exactly efficient. Now, you can see everything at a glance, which not only saves time but also gives you a clear picture of how widespread RCS adoption is among your friends and family.

The update is currently rolling out to beta users of Google Messages, particularly those on version ‘20250527_01_RC00’. So if you’re enrolled in the beta channel, you might already be seeing these changes in your app. A full public release is likely on the horizon, depending on how this beta rollout goes.

This small but smart tweak continues Google’s push toward making RCS the new default for Android messaging. With Apple finally joining the RCS party later this year, these features are bound to become more relevant than ever. Google seems keen on making sure users are ready—and this update is another step in that direction.