Many Android users have recently noticed a message saying “Sent as SMS via Server” when they send a message to someone.
This message has become increasingly common among frequent mobile phone users. They often wonder about its meaning.
Some users even worry that it indicates a block on their phone
What does RCS sent as sms via server mean on Android?
- In 2020, Google launched the RCS messaging protocol, which is why users receive the message “Sent As SMS Via Server.”
- The RCS, also known as Rich Communication Services, powers various innovative features in Android’s native messaging app, replacing the commonly used SMS protocol.
- By enhancing conventional text messaging with multimedia messages, group chats, and video sharing, the protocol aims to make text messaging on Android devices compatible with advanced messaging apps like iMessage, FB Messenger, and WhatsApp.
- You may be wondering what “transmitted as SMS over server” means. This new message replaces the transmit receipt message due to the implementation of the new protocol, enabling the RCS feature.
It means that the text messaging application has added more capabilities and enabled the RCS feature.
Sent as SMS through Server: What Does It Mean?
Most Android devices now use the RCS protocol instead of the old messaging software.
Consequently, users do not get message receipts anymore for their sent, delivered, or read messages.
Instead, they receive a default message that reads “Sent as SMS Via Server.”
This message has caused alarm among Android users globally, leading them to search the internet for an explanation.
Users are not only curious about the meaning of “sent as SMS via the server” on Android but also concerned that it could mean they’ve been blocked from the phone.
They are used to receiving conventional text receipts, so they find this message confusing.
Although the reason for the message is unknown, some people think it might be due to an issue or error on the receipt’s side.
In many cases, it has been categorized as a malfunction.
This new development has raised many questions among users, such as the meaning of “sent as SMS via the server” and how to remove it.
What Fixes “Sent as SMS via Server”?
To do this:
- Open your phone’s menu and find the Messaging app.
- In the top right corner of the screen, tap the trio of vertical dots.
- From the drop-down menu, tap on Settings.
- Scroll down and select the Advanced tab.
- Look for the option “Get GSM delivery reports” or similar options such as “Delivery reports.”
- To activate it, toggle the “Get GSM delivery reports” option. Note that some Android devices may show “Show when delivered” instead.
Step 2: Partition for clearing the device cache
Simply emptying the cache memory of the offending app—in this case, the messaging app—can resolve issues on your Android phone.
Check to see whether the message still shows after attempting to clear the messaging app’s cache.
Your device’s data, apps, and other configurations won’t be deleted thanks to the cache partition.
Only temporary files that are no longer required are deleted.
To do this:
- Open the Settings app on your phone’s menu screen.
- Scroll down and tap on “Apps.”
- Look for the Messaging app in the list of apps and select it.
- Tap on “Storage.”
- Choose “Clear Cache” located at the lower right corner of the screen on the storage screen.
Step 3: Enter Safe Mode
The final step you must do to get rid of the notice “sent as sms via the server” is to put your smartphone into safe mode.
Third-party apps on your device will be prohibited when your Android phone is in safe mode.
So, if third-party software is to blame for the notice, switching to safe mode will stop it from appearing.
To do this:
- Turn off your Samsung device.
- Press and hold the Volume key and Power key simultaneously for a few seconds.
- Release the Power key when the Samsung logo appears and continue holding the Volume Down button.
- Wait for the device to boot into safe mode. “At the bottom left of the screen, “Safe Mode” will be visible.
To exit safe mode, simply turn off the device and then turn it back on. It will reboot into normal mode.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does it mean when it says “Sent as sms via the server”?
This message appears when you use the RCS protocol to send text messages to someone who only uses the SMS protocol.
They will receive the message as an SMS, and multimedia messages will not be delivered to the recipient’s end.
Why didn’t I receive the usual delivery read receipts but an SMS instead?
This is because of the new RCS protocol that was introduced in 2023.
What devices support the RCS messaging protocol?
To date, the RCS messaging protocol is supported by all the latest Android devices, especially all Samsung phones.
Why do you still receive the notification “Sent as sms via the server” when multimedia messages are sent using the default messaging app on your device?
Make sure that both devices are RCS capable, so they can have the same features as other advanced messaging apps such as WhatsApp and Messenger.
Conclusion
The message “Sent as SMS via Server” that many Android users have been seeing is due to the new messaging protocol called RCS (Rich Communication Services), which was launched by Google in 2020.
The RCS protocol aims to enhance conventional text messaging by adding multimedia messages, group chats, and video sharing, making text messaging on Android devices compatible with advanced messaging apps like iMessage, FB Messenger, and WhatsApp.
The message “Sent as SMS via Server” appears when using RCS to send text messages to someone who only uses the SMS protocol, and it means that the message has been sent as an SMS because the recipient’s device is not RCS capable.
To fix the issue, users can turn on “Show when delivered” in the options menu, clear the messaging app’s cache, or enter safe mode.