Android Messages 3.2 preps more Messages for Web browser support & silencing notifications, link previews, ‘dark mode’ [APK Insight]

Abner Li | May 7 2018 - 10:08 am PT

Since our last APK Insight of Android Messages, Google announced a significant rebrand of its RCS initiative. Upcoming Chat features include Messages for Web, Smart Reply, read receipts, and much more. Version 3.2 rolling out today reveals more about how the web client will work and a possible dark mode.

About APK Insight: In this ‘APK Insight’ post, we’ve decompiled the latest version of an application that Google uploaded to the Play Store. When we decompile these files (called APKs, in the case of Android apps), we’re able to see various lines of code within that hint at possible future features. Keep in mind that Google may or may not ever ship these features, and our interpretation of what they are may be imperfect. We’ll try to enable those that are closer to being finished, however, to show you how they’ll look in the case that they do ship. With that in mind, read on.

Dark Mode

Android Messages is already one of the more customizable Google apps with users able to set a different contact color for every user. Google might be extending that with a “dark mode.” You will be able to enable this theme, which likely does not replace the current customization color.

<string name=”dark_mode_pref_title”>Enable dark mode</string>

<string name=”dark_mode_pref_key”>dark_mode_pref_key</string>

: Current

Silencing on-device notifications when connected to Messages for Web

Google confirmed Messages for Web with the announcement of Chat. We now have more details on the implementation with users seeing a “Connected to Messages for web” on their phones when the web client is running. Meanwhile, users will have the option to control that “persistent notification,” as well as “silence” on-device ringtones and vibration when using the web client.

<string name=”ditto_activity_label”>Messages for web</string>

<string name=”ditto_persistent_notification_settings”>Notifications</string>

<string name=”ditto_settings_action_bar_title”>Notifications</string>

<string name=”ditto_settings_connected_to_web_notification_description”>\”Connected to Messages for web\” appears whenever your device connects to the web</string>

<string name=”ditto_settings_connected_to_web_notification_title”>Show persistent notification</string>

<string name=”ditto_settings_while_using_web_notification_description”>Stop ringtone & vibration whenever your device connects to the web</string>

<string name=”ditto_settings_while_using_web_notification_title”>Silence notifications</string>

Messages for Web supported browsers

In addition to Chrome, Google is prepping Messages for Web support on Safari, Firefox, Opera, and Microsoft Edge, according to browser icons we discovered in version 3.2.

Messages for Web notification category

<string name=”bugle_notification_category_conversations”>Conversations</string>

<string name=”bugle_notification_category_web”>Messages for web</string>

Messages for Web Privacy Policy & ToS

The QR scanning page for setting up the web client adds new links to the Privacy Policy and Terms of Servce.

<string name=”qr_welcome_privacy”>Privacy Policy</string>
<string name=”qr_welcome_terms_of_service”>Terms of Service</string>

Link Previews

The app will now show previews from URLs sent in a chat. Already live in Settings, users have the option to disable it or have it only work when on Wi-Fi.