Pixel 3 SMS french characters. (Unicode?)

[jefflessard]

Hello, 

Since yesterday, I cannot send french letters with accents via SMS (é,è,ç, etc).  The recipient only sees ?.

Example if I write "après" the recipient sees "apr?s".

I cannot find a settings either in the Messages app or the system, to verify that my phone uses the Unicode standard.

I was in the United States for the last week, in case that could be the cause...

regards,

***EDITED LABELS***

[jefflessard]

Just letting know, that even after a hard reset (Wipe data/factory reset in recovery mode) the problem is still ongoing.

[RogersMaude]

Good day @jefflessard,

Thanks for posting the details of your situation to the Community.

We certainly want to help you resolve this issue. I appreciate you let us know you tried a factory reset of your device.

Does this happen with one contact in particular or anyone you're contacting via SMS?

The fact that this has just started happening and that you were physically outside of Canada could be linked to the root cause of the problem you're experiencing. While you were there, did you use your phone at all? If so, was the "accent characters" displayed properly on the recipient end?

Here are the settings to change your Android keyboard, keyboard language and keyboard theme on your Google Pixel 3 XL device: 

1. Swipe down notification panel twice and tap Settings gear icon
2. Scroll down up to end of the page and tap System

3. Tap Languages & input: In Google Pixel 3 language & input settings, you can see Languages, keyboard & inputs and advanced settings. 

4. Tap Virtual keyboard under keyboard & inputs sub headings
Here you can see Gboard, Google Indic keyboard, Google voice typing and other install android keyboard in your device.

5. Tap Manage keyboards

6. Enable/disable keyboard you want to use in your Google Pixel 3 XL. You can easily change the keyboard on latest devices.

How to change Google keyboard – Gboard keyboard settings on Pixel 3 Pie 9.0

Settings > System > Languages & input > Virtual keyboard > Gboard

You can see several Gboard keyboard settings including Languages, Preferences, Theme, Text correction, Voice typing, Predictive search etc.

By default set Google Pixel 3 language as English. If you want to change default language on Pixel 3 XL and Pixel 3, apply below settings.

Settings > System > Languages & input > Languages > Add a language > Select language > Long press on language and drag it to first position to set default Pixel 3 language.

RogersMaude

[jefflessard]

Thank you for your response RogersMaude.

The problem occurs with any contact I am texting. Either iOS or Android.  And it seems to be "random",  meaning that sometimes an accent letter will go through, but the majority of the time it is replaced by a ? sign.

I did go through all the language settings you mentioned in your response (keyboard and system level)

Yes, I used my phone while in the US (Roam like home) and all was fine until yesterday on the way back.

I also did a factory reset with no success.

What would be my next try?

regards,

[jefflessard]

Reporting more information.

I have talked to some friends who own a Pixel device.  The one on Rogers (with Pixel 2) is experiencing the same problem as me.  The one on Videotron (with Pixel 3) does not. Another one, on Fido network with iPhone 8, has the same problem as me when sending SMS.

Maybe it's just a coincidence, but I thought it was worth mentioning.

regards,

[RogersMaude]

Hello again @jefflessard,

Thanks so much for your reply!

Have you reached out to Google's Pixel Phone Help since noticing the problem?

I'm wondering whether they would have heard of the issue you're experiencing and potentially have a fix for it.

On their page, click on "Contact us" on the right-hand side of the page and then select your device model:

If they can help you identify a resolution for this problem, please update this thread. 😉

We haven't had reports confirming this is a known issue for Pixel users and I can imagine how annoying it must be. If your conversation with Pixel Phone Help doesn't provide you with the answers you're looking for, I'd like the opportunity to look into this further.

To do so, I'll need to discuss with you privately. Please reach out by private message to our @CommunityHelps inbox. You can learn how to send a PM, here.

RogersMaude

[jefflessard]

Hello @RogersMaude 

I am no expert, but I doubt it is a hardware related problem.  I did a complete reset of the phone, and nothing changed.

I have continued to ask around, and I notice that, in fact, a lot of people are experiencing my problem, and that they are all on the Rogers network while using SMS.  A lot of different phones are plagued by this; Pixel 2 or 3, Samsung Galaxy S8, iPhone 8 plus, iPhone 7, etc...  Everyone said that they have started noticing the problem recently.

So before calling Google for a hardware support,  could you verify with Rogers technical support if they have received other complaints like mine?

regards,

[RogersTony]

Hello @jefflessard,

We appreciate your diligence regarding this issue. I have reached out to our Wireless Technical Support specialists and they have confirmed there are no known issues related to this specific problem. They were unable to replicate the issue on their devices either.

Are you able to try toggling between enhanced messaging being on or off and see if it still happens? If yes, we'll need to escalate a Ticket for investigation. We'll need specific examples and time stamps for when it did not work properly. We will also need to gain access to your file to get started. Please follow the steps outlined in the Post above yours to send us a Private Message so we can escalate this for you should the issue persist.

We look forward to your response!

RogersTony

[jefflessard]

Hello @RogersTony 

I will do as you ask with pleasure. (toggle enhanced messaging off and calling Pixel support and private message) . But I wonder why it also happen on iPhone that don't have enhanced massaging?

regards,

[RogersTony]

Hello @jefflessard,

You're most welcome! 😃

Toggling the enhanced messaging on and off was a step recommended by the technical support representative that I had discussed this matter with. It is definitely an odd issue but we have received your Private Message and have escalated to our network team to investigate it further.

Thanks so much for your patience while we investigate.

RogersTony

[jefflessard]

Note of interest maybe. I noticed that when I exchange with someone who also has enhanced messaging activated (RCS) the problem is not present. So, probably as something to do with the SMS protocol or something.

Regards

[Zotak]

I currently have the same problem. Will try the RCS trick...

Thanks for the update !

[NicoleBeg]

I am also experiencing this issue with a samsung galaxy s8. Very annoying.

[PixelPhil]

I have this issue as well

[jefflessard]

I really think it is a network problem.  I'm no expert, but....

[paquinm72]

Same problem here with my Pixel 2xl. Was always able to wright with é ç ê and other french symbols, but since a week, my contacts are telling me that they receive things like "agr?able" when it is suppose tout be "agréable".
Didn't change any settings so it's surely a network bug

[Zotak]

Did some test with someone else :
SMS to SMS : ? instead of special characters

RCS to SMS : ? instead of special characters
RCS to RCS : Works fine.

Pretty sure something is up with Rogers SMS.

[RogersTony · Accepted solution]

Hello @jefflessard, @Zotak, @NicoleBeg, @PixelPhil, @paquinm72, and the rest of the Community,

A warm welcome to all of the new members of the Rogers Community Forums! 😃

Several of you have reported issues with sending french characters through SMS. We have received an update on this matter and a correction was applied last night. The issue was confirmed resolved by many affected users. If there are still users in the Community that is experiencing this issue please let us know so we can continue to escalate Tickets to investigate.

Thank you for posting your concerns!

RogersTony

[jefflessard]

It is resolved on my part.

Thank you for your prompt action.  Good job!

regards,

[paquinm72]

Yes, it seems to work now.
Thanks!