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The Google Messages app is Google’s texting application, in its essence. In the past, it was mainly an app to send out SMS and MMS messages, but things have changed a lot over the years. It now serves as a full-fledged instant messaging application, more on that soon. This application/service also had different names in the past, which we’ll talk about in this article as well. You’ll find a bunch of information below, so read on if you’d like to know more about Google’s messaging app.
What are Google Messages?
Google Messages is known both as an app and a service provided by the Mountain View giant. It kicked off as a regular SMS/MMS app, but these days it utilizes the power of RCS in order to be a full-fledged instant messaging app. Using this app, you can not only send SMS/MMS messages but also instant messages via the Internet thanks to RCS. That means you can also send out images, videos, and GIFs to other contacts that are using RCS. They do not necessarily need to use Google Messages, but they need to have access to RCS. Samsung’s default SMS app allows for RCS, use, for example.
This is not the original name Google used
Google initially went with a different name for Google Messages. This app/service launched back in 2014, so basically 10 years ago. It had three different names in the past, Messenger, Android Messages, and Messages by Google. Google decided to ditch the last name in December 2023 and went with a simpler name, Google Messages. Some of you are probably wondering why didn’t we mention ‘Hangouts’. Well, this is not the same service. Hangouts were active before Google Messages and were basically replaced by this app/service, directly.
What platforms are Google Messages available on?
You can use Google Messages on several platforms. The vast majority of people use the app for Android, as it comes pre-installed on a ton of Android smartphones as the default SMS application. Those who do not have it pre-installed can easily download it from the Google Play Store, and you can then set it as your default SMS app. That way you can have both your SMS messages and instant messages (via RCS) in one place. Do note that your phone does need to support Google Services in order to install and use this application. In other words, those of you who are using Huawei smartphones, for example, won’t be able to use it.
In addition to an app available for Android, there’s also support for Wear OS, and you can access your messages via the web too. All you need to do is navigate to messages.google.com/web, and follow the instructions so that you can start using the app. That way you can access your messages via your desktop PC, regardless of what device you’re using.
What are Google Messages’ competitors/alternatives?
If you’re looking at Google Messages as a whole, there are really no direct alternatives to it. If you’re looking at it as an SMS app only, there are plenty of third-party SMS apps. We have to look at both its SMS/MMS and RCS features as a whole, though, and there’s no replacement for it as of now, basically. As I mentioned earlier, Samsung Messages do support RCS, but they only have basic support for RCS. You can still communicate with users who use Google Messages, but you won’t have many of the features that Google is offering via Google Messages.
Can I use Google Messages to chat with iOS users?
The answer to this question is both yes and no. Yes, it can be both at the same time. On one hand, you can message iOS users in the SMS format. For that, you don’t have to be online. If you’d like to chat via the Internet, send images, videos, and so on, well, then you can’t… not yet. Apple will bring RCS support to iOS later this year. The EU kind of forced Apple’s hand, though it remains to be seen what will the implementation look like exactly. These are good news, though, as it will push RCS forward, and kind of bring a universal way of communication between platforms. RCS will be supported by iMessage, Apple’s default texting app on iOS.
Can I use Google Messages if I’m not connected to the Internet?
Yes, but only partially. If you’re offline, you’ll only be able to use the app’s SMS/MMS functionality. If you’re connected to the Internet, RCS becomes fair game. In other words, if you’re online, you’ll be able to use Google Messages as a proper instant messaging app, with contacts that use an app that supports RCS as well. Think of it as a replacement for WhatsApp, Viber, and so on, in a way. An app that keeps both your SMS/MMS and instant messages in the same list. I repeat, though, if the other side doesn’t use a device/app that supports RCS, you’ll still be sending regular texts only. You need to pay attention to that in the conversation itself, as it’ll tell you if you’re sending an RCS message or a regular message.
What are the first things you should do in Google Messages before you start using it?
The very first thing you should do after you install Google Messages is set it as your default SMS app. This is a step you can ignore if the app already comes pre-installed on your device. If that’s the case, it’s already set as the default SMS app.
The second thing we always do is check whether RCS messaging is activated. Google Messages do come with RCS activated out of the box, now. That was not the case before. Do note that if you disabled RCS in a previous installation, the app will remember that, so you need to check, just in case. Simply tap your profile icon in the top-right corner, go to Messages settings, and then navigate to RCS chats. Once you’re there, the first option will tell you whether RCS is activated or not.
Once you’ve done that, there’s really nothing else you should be doing. There are no extra settings you need to think about or anything of the sort. You can start using the app and messaging your contacts.
Is the Google Messages app free to use?
The Google Messages app/service is free to use, yes. You also won’t find any ads inside the app or anything of the sort. Google also intends to keep it that way, we doubt that will change moving forward, though you never know. You can grab the app for free from the Google Play Store in case it doesn’t come pre-installed on your device. Simply install it, and you’re good to go.
What are the best features of Google Messages?
The Google Messages app is filled with interesting features at this point. Google has been adding new ones since launch, basically, and it’s now a very compelling messaging app. Below, we’ll highlight some of the best features of Google Messages. Generally some of the most popular ones, and some that are our favorites. A mix of the two, if you will.
RCS chats
The first feature that comes to mind is RCS chats. Google has been pushing RCS strongly, trying to create SMS 2.0, basically. That dream has never been closer as Apple aims to provide RCS support in iMessage. You can easily use Google Messages as a general instant messaging app. You can send out images or videos, send out voice messages, or chat with your friends via a video call. All the features that you’re used to and love in other instant messaging apps are now here… well, most of them.
Scheduling messages
Scheduling messages is one feature that iOS users are still crying out for, at least they were at the time of writing this article. It’s a rather important feature for some, and it’s available in Google Messages. Regardless of whether you’d like to schedule an SMS message to go out or an RCS instant message, the Google Messages app has your back. How can you do it? It’s simple, once you write your message, press and hold on the send icon, and you’ll get the ‘Schedule send’ menu. From there you’ll either be able to use one of the predetermined times or schedule your own.
Voice message transcriptions
Voice Message Transcriptions are one of those outstanding features that you don’t think of first when it comes to instant messaging. However, it can come in really handy. Many people out there prefer to send out audio messages, as they’re either too lazy to type, or it’s more convenient to them because of their job, or whatever else. The problem with audio messages is that you’re not always in a position to listen to them. Well, thanks to the Voice Message Transcription feature, Google Messages can transcribe such messages to you… in plain text. That way you can know what they’re about without actually needing the audio side of things.
Reminders
I never thought I’d need reminders inside an instant messaging app, but I stand corrected. I got used to using reminders from Google Messages, even though it’s not exactly a feature you’d think of when it comes to messaging. You can easily remind yourself to do basically anything from the Google Messages app. This is a feature you may start using if you’re using Google Messages a lot. Be warned, though, once you start, it’s really hard to stop.
Video calling
If text and audio messages don’t do the trick, there’s always video calling. Google has one of the best video chat services out there, Google Meet. Well, it decided to integrate everything nicely and offer Google Messages users to video-chat with their loved ones. You can easily open up a contact you’d like to video chat with and tap the video icon at the top. Right next to it there’s also the audio call icon, if that’s what you prefer. The point is, you have plenty of options here.
Chat bubble customizations
If you don’t like the default Google Messages setup, in terms of design, you can change that a bit. Google is offering you a chance to customize each of your conversations. You can change up the background of your conversations, and the same goes for chat bubbles themselves. You can make each of the conversations completely unique so that you know exactly who you’re talking to just by the design. At the time of writing this article, however, this feature was available for select users only, it’s still rolling out.
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