Google Messages Features

What is Google Messages?

Google Messages is an innovative messaging application developed by Google for its Android and Wear OS mobile operating systems. Introduced in 2014, the app stands as Google’s response to Apple’s iMessage service and has since undergone significant upgrades, stitching together traditional SMS, Rich Communication Services (RCS), and instant messaging into a unique communication platform.

Benefits of using Google Messages

Google Messages proposes a plethora of advantages, packing in features found in premier messaging apps, and blending them with functionalities distinctive to its ecosystem. Some remarkable highlights include sending varied files like videos, GIFs, and documents over Wi-Fi or cellular connection, delivery and read statuses, and message encryption. Users can also enjoy features like reacting with emojis, scheduling messages, obtaining reminders, and transcriptions of voice messages. The integration with other Google apps further amplifies its proprietary appeal, and desktop usage ease creates a seamless user experience across platforms.

Exploring Key Features

How to send texts from your desktop with Google Messages

The Google Messages app conveniently allows users to view, send, and reply to messages straight from their desktop. Here’s how you can set it up:

1. Access the Google Messages website on your desktop browser.
2. Open the Google Messages app on your Android phone.
3. Navigate to the three-button menu located at the top left corner of your screen.
4. Tap on ‘Device pairing‘.
5. Opt for ‘QR code scanner’.
6. Scan the unique QR code displayed on the ‘Messages for Web’ interface on your desktop screen.
7. If using a private computer, toggle on the option of ‘Remember this computer’ for effortless future connections.

This easy set-up method eliminates the need for constantly reaching out for your phone upon receiving a new message.

Activation of Google Messages’ RCS chat features

Rich Communication Services (RCS) gives Google Messages an edge over traditional messaging apps. Activating it is straightforward and can be accomplished in a few simple steps:

1. Run the Messages app on your device.
2. Tap on your Google account profile picture situated at the top right of the interface.
3. Opt for ‘Messages settings’.
4. Select ‘Chat features’.
5. Switch on ‘Enable chat features’.
6. Complete the number verification step by entering your phone number and tapping ‘Verify now’.
7. Optional: Toggle on other corresponding switches for activating additional RCS features.

Once RCS is operative, you’ll gain access to enhanced features such as end-to-end encryption, typing indicators, and read receipts. However, remember, these features won’t function when interacting with a non-RCS app like Apple’s iMessage; SMS will be the default mode here. If RCS is on, a padlock symbol will surface next to your messages, affirming your texts are encrypted.

Scheduling text messages in Google Messages

Scheduling messages in Google Messages is an immensely useful feature. It comes in handy when you want to ensure delivery of a text message at just the right time.

Here are the simple steps to schedule a text:

1. Go to the chatbox and type your message.
2. Tap and hold the Send button.
3. Select a pre-set date and time or tap ‘Pick date and time’ to customise your own.
4. After confirming the date and time, tap the Send button.

With these easy steps, your message will be scheduled and sent at your chosen time. Any edits to your scheduled message can be made before it is dispatched.

Pinning conversations in Google Messages

Pinning conversations in Google Messages is a handy feature to keep important chats accessible. Here’s how you can do it:

1. Open the Google Messages app.
2. Tap and hold the conversation you want to pin.
3. Tap the Pin button at the top of your screen.

To unpin a message, repeat the previous steps. With this feature, you can always keep upto three important conversations at the top of your list, making them easy to access, even amidst a flurry of incoming messages.

Using animation and screen effects in Google Messages

Google Messages now offers enjoyable screen effects and animations based on specific trigger phrases, reminiscent of the iMessage experience.

After typing your message, a visual effect prompt will appear in the send button. Click on the button and witness a flood of effects taking over your screen. “Congrats” might spark a golden shower of confetti while “Happy birthday” unleashes a pleasant outburst of balloons.

These dynamic, vibrant effects are a great way to lend visual appeal to your messages and make your chats exciting and expressive. Enjoy discovering all the screen effect prompts and optimise the delight of communication.

Automated OTP deletion feature

The automated OTP deletion feature of Google Messages is an ingenious solution to unclutter text messages. As the name suggests, this feature automatically discards OTPs (one-time passwords) 24 hours after they hit your inbox. Get rid of redundant OTPs filling up your conversation list with these easy steps:

1. Tap your profile picture in Google Messages.
2. Tap ‘Message settings’.
3. Opt for ‘Message organisation’.
4. Switch on the toggle for ‘Auto-delete OTPs after 24 hours’.

Henceforth, Google’s Messages app will automatically clear out OTP messages for you after their purpose is fulfilled, keeping your inbox clean and well-organised.

Reading and sending text messages from the web

Using Google Messages on the browser expands the convenience of sending and receiving texts across multiple devices. Here’s an easy way to set it up:

1. Visit the Google Messages website on your computer.
2. Open Google Messages on your phone.
3. Tap the three-dot menu icon at the top left and select “Messages for Web”.
4. Use your phone to scan the QR code on your computer screen.
5. Tick the checkbox ‘Remember this computer’ if you want quicker access in the future.

Now your Google Messages will sync to your computer letting you read and send messages from the comfort of your desktop or laptop. It’s perfect for those who spend a lot of time working on their computers.

It also provides a ‘dark mode’ and ‘notifications’ settings to customize your user experience. This functionality is a testament to Google’s approach to delivering a seamless blend of convenience and flexibility in their applications.

Remember, your phone needs to remain connected to the Internet for the web application to function.

Replying to SMS Without Typing in Google Messages One of the most stand-out features of Google Messages is the ability to respond to texts without typing. This function employs Google’s state-of-the-art predictive reply technology. This AI-driven system anticipates potential responses and showcases them at the bottom of your messaging window. Simply tap on the most relevant predicted reply, and voilà! Your response is sent, saving you precious time and effort. Note that this feature will adapt and improve over time as it learns from your text input.

Advanced Features

Replying to SMS without typing in Google Messages

Google Messages leverages Smart Reply, an AI-driven feature that provides suggestions for quick responses to your received messages. When a new text comes in, you may see up to three suggested responses pop up at the bottom of the chat. These suggestions are formulated based on the most recent incoming message. Here’s how to use it:

1. Open Google Messages.
2. Tap on a conversation.
3. When the Smart Reply suggestions pop up, tap on the one that suits your response.
4. Hit send.

Do note that Smart Reply learns over time and will improve its suggestions based on your usage. This timely, hands-off feature can be especially handy during times when you’re occupied with other tasks. But rest assured, these suggestions remain entirely optional, and the feature can be toggled off if desired.

Auto-switching to dark mode

Google Messages caters to the dark mode enthusiasts too, providing the possibility of an auto-switch to dark mode based on your device’s settings or manual preference. Here’s how to activate it:

1. Open Google Messages.
2. Tap the three-dotted More button located at the top.
3. Choose the “Theme” option.
4. For constant dark mode, select the “Dark” option. However, if you want your theme to be synchronised with your device, select the “System default” option.

Following these easy steps, you can adapt your Google Messages to the preferred look and feel. Whether you love to keep things dark for aesthetic, comfort, or power-saving reasons, Google Messages has got you covered.

Customizing chat bubbles, profiles, and Chat features

Google Messages offers customisation options for altering aesthetics of chat bubbles, backgrounds, and profiles. This functionality can enhance user experience, personalising each chat with a lively flair.

To customize chat bubbles:

1. Open Google Messages and select the chat you want to customize.
2. Tap the three-dotted More button in the top right.
3. Choose ‘Chat settings’, opt for ‘Chat background’.
4. Select whether you want a colour background, a gradient or a photo.
5. You can preview what it will look like before it’s applied – agree to confirm the selection.

To customize your profile:

1. In main screen of Google Messages, tap your profile picture.
2. Go to ‘Profile settings’.
3. Update your profile picture and name as per your preference.

From here you can truly personalise your Google Messages experience, differentiating your conversations with a distinct visual twist that matches your preferences or the nature of the chat.

Voice transcription feature

The voice transcription feature in Google Messages is a game-changer, making voice messages more accessible and convenient to use. It automatically converts voice messages into text, allowing users to read them like standard text messages.

Here’s how to use voice transcription in Google Messages:

1. When you receive a voice message, tap the ‘View Transcript’ button above the recording.
2. The transcribed text will appear below the voice message.
3. If you prefer to listen to the message, simply tap the play button.

You can also deactivate this feature if you prefer. To do so:

1. Tap the ‘Settings’ button on a voice transcription.
2. Toggle off the transcription feature.

Initially targeting the Google Pixel 6 & 7 series, this feature’s availability has been expanded to include more devices. By transcribing voice messages, Google Messages caters to users with varied preferences and situations, further enhancing its accessibility and usability.

Receiving automatic birthday message reminders

Google Messages feature of automatic birthday reminders could save you from the embarrassment of forgetting to wish your loved ones on their special day. These birthday nudges can be activated by following the steps below:

1. Tap on your profile picture on the top right.
2. Choose ‘Messages settings’.
3. Click on ‘Suggestions’.
4. Go to ‘Nudges’.
5. Toggle on both ‘Suggest messages reminders’ and ‘Birthday reminders’.

This feature ensures that your contacts’ birthdays are nudged to the top of your text messages until either a message is sent or the reminder is dismissed. However, remember that for this feature to work efficiently, you need to have your contacts’ birthdays saved in your phone’s contacts list. With just a few taps, keep forgetting birthdays a thing of the past and make your loved ones’ special day even more memorable.

FAQ

How does Google Messages work?

Google Messages serves as a robust platform for communication, combining traditional SMS/MMS capabilities with Rich Communication Services (RCS) and instant messaging conveniences. It uses your mobile data or Wi-Fi to relay messages, enabling users to send/receive both text and media files with ease. The application also offers features such as end-to-end encryption for RCS chats, instant status updates, and even voice transcription. Plus, it is deeply integrated with the Google ecosystem, enabling seamless interaction with apps like Google Calendar, Maps, etc. Google Messages leverages both your phone and desktop in its stride, expanding the communication playground beyond the constraints of your mobile device.

Can you hide chats in Google Messages?

At the moment, Google Messages does not inherently offer an option to hide specific chats or conversations. While you can delete a conversation, be aware that this process is irreversible and fully removes the chat from your message history.

However, if you wish to maintain the privacy of certain chats, there are several third-party apps available on the Play Store that can ‘lock’ particular apps with a password or biometric authentication. This acts as an additional layer of security, preventing others from accessing your messages app without your permission.

Remember to scrutinise an app’s permissions before installing to ensure it does not unnecessarily invade your privacy. It’s always recommended to use authentic, well-reviewed apps for this purpose.

What are the changes that recently came into effect in Google Messages?

Google Messages has undergone broad-ranging updates, adding a flurry of fresh features to its platform recently.

1. First off, Google introduced a new Photomoji feature allowing users to create and send custom emojis based on personal photos cut out from the application.
2. The Voice Moods feature has been rolled out, which lets users send voice notes accompanied by an array of “moods”. This adds a quirky visual effect to the messages that highlight the mood selected.
3. Screen Effects, a feature reminiscent of Apple’s iMessage, has also been implemented. These are full-screen effects that get activated upon typing certain trigger phrases.
4. Google has further introduced a birthday reminder feature, enabling automatic nudges to send wishes to contacts.
5. The app has undergone a complete UI refresh, resulting in a more intuitive layout which is easy to navigate.
6. The application also spotlights a voice transcription feature for received voice messages.

These updates aim to innovate your texting experience, rendering it more interactive and engaging. Google continues to elevate the performance of its Messages app, establishing it as a fierce competitor in the messaging platform arena.

which message app is best for android

Google Messages stands as a top contender among messaging apps for Android. With its continuous evolution in features and enhancements, it offers an extensive array of functionalities that make texting on Android phones more intuitive and convenient. Here’s why:

1. It offers Rich Communication Services (RCS), transforming your conversations into rich chats with features like typing indicators, read receipts, and many more.
2. It provides a clean, user-friendly interface that’s easy to navigate.
3. The app is integrated with other Google services, offering tools like Google Assistant, Calendar, and Maps within the chat.
4. Messages can be routinely sorted into categories, making them easier to manage and find.
5. It is pre-installed on most Android devices, making it effortlessly reachable for all Android users.

However, the response to “which messaging app is best?” can vary based on individual preferences. Other popular alternatives include Signal, WhatsApp, and Telegram — all renowned for their security, privacy, and features.

how to turn off rcs messaging

• First, open your Messages app on your device.
• Tap on your profile picture located at the upper-right corner of the screen.
• To view more settings, select “Messages settings”.
• Next, tap on “RCS chats”.
• If “Turn on RCS chats” feature is activated (you will know this if the circle is towards the right side), you can turn it off by simply tapping on it.
• Once you do this, a pop-up window warns you that you’ll be removed from all group RCS chats. To continue with turning off RCS, tap on “Turn off”.
• With RCS switched off, the messages you send or receive will revert back to traditional SMS/MMS text format until you decide to reactivate RCS again.

Please note that toggling the chat features on and off multiple times in a short span may cause temporary blocks from RCS chats according to user feedback. In addition, if you are planning to get a new phone, it is advisable to turn off RCS before transitioning to avoid any potential messaging issues. You can always reactivate these settings if you keep your old phone. If you no longer have access to the previous device, Google provides a deregistration form for your phone number.

google messages app vs samsung messages

Whether you currently use Google Messages or Samsung Messages, both applications have their unique perks and address different user preferences. Yet, they share common ground when it comes to their basic functioning.

Google Messages vs. Samsung Messages: User Interface The user interface for both apps is elegant and intuitive, making navigation a breeze. However, Google Messages offers a more modern and tidy interface, with functions like category-wise sorting, making message management easier. Samsung Messages, on the other hand, presents a decluttered and organised look, maintaining its aesthetics around Samsung’s One UI.

Google Messages vs. Samsung Messages: RCS Chat Features Both applications support Rich Communication Services (RCS). However, Google Messages’ global availability of this feature sets it apart. It offers read receipts, typing indicators, high-quality image, and video transfers alongside end-to-end encryption for RCS chats.

Special features in Google Messages Google Messages boasts features like voice transcription, automatic birthday reminders, Photomoji, auto-deletion of OTPs after 24-hours, and Screen Effects. These features contribute to a more interactive, efficient, and comfortable user experience.

Special features in Samsung Messages Samsung Messages prides itself on its seamless integration with the Samsung ecosystem. It allows users to send scheduled messages and presents an efficient category system, neatly grouping your messages, making it easier to pull them up when required.

Ultimately, the choice between Google Messages and Samsung Messages boils down to your device, preferences, and comfort. Both applications offer a range of features designed to enhance your messaging experience, it’s just a matter of exploring and discovering what fits you best.