Samsung Messages app is preparing Google Duo integration [APK Insight]

Without a doubt, the best video calling app on Android, and one of the closest competitors to Apple’s FaceTime, is Google Duo. We’ve uncovered evidence that Samsung is working on integrating Google Duo directly into the Samsung Messages app for Galaxy devices.

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 case they do ship. With that in mind, read on.

When using the Google Messages app, the default SMS and RCS app of Pixel and Android One phones, if the person you’re messaging has Google Duo, you’ll have a handy button to jump right into a Duo video call with that person.

This week, The Korea Herald has reported, via Android Authority, that Samsung is in talks with Google and Korean carrier SK Telecom to create a video chat service powered by Google Duo that enhances RCS messaging.

Google Duo in Samsung Messages

While many of the details are still unclear as to how such an integration would work, we took a closer look at the latest version of the Samsung Messages app for signs of any Google Duo integration. In the strings, we found a direct mention of being able to call someone using either Google Duo or your phone’s default video calling app.

<string name=”video_call_with_default_phone_app”>Default phone app</string>

<string name=”video_call_with_duo”>Duo</string>

Looking through the Samsung Messages app’s assets, we even find both monochrome and full-color versions of Google Duo’s logo and a similar logo signaling an audio-only Duo call. The different versions may indicate that the Duo logo will appear in different places throughout the app.

One of the icons seems to be placed side-by-side with the call, search, and menu buttons found along the top of the conversation view. Here’s a simple mock-up of how it should look when enabled.

In the app’s code, we’ve found that Samsung Messages is preparing a way to create an Android “Intent” to start a Google Duo video call to a particular phone number. Most likely this is what happens if you tap the upcoming Duo button.

Thanks to JEB Decompiler, from which some APK Insight teardowns benefit.

Dylan Roussel contributed to this article.