The biggest moment for Google Messages in 2024 was when the iPhone gained RCS support with iOS 18 in September. In terms of new features, there were some highlights but the biggest one — a redesign of the text field — was stuck in limbo. There are quite a few big additions in the pipeline.
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Google Messages is becoming one of the most feature-rich messaging clients on mobile with tons of features. The RCS app’s selection of settings makes it a fantastic default messaging app for the Google Pixel or any Android phone. This guide will take you through everything we think you should set up in Google Messages on your Android device.
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Like most Google apps, Messages A/B tests many features. However, it takes the RCS/SMS client a rather long time to actually launch these capabilities in stable even after they are announced. From various reports, Google itself, and devices we’ve checked, this is the current state of Messages.
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Earlier this year, Google Messages introduced Profile discovery — which has since been renamed to “Profile sharing” — and is now rolling out a prominent way to “Customize how you are seen.”
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The day has arrived, as Verizon has officially shut down its Message+ app on Android in favor of Google Messages, but users aren’t happy about the change, especially as the old app has blocked access to messages entirely.
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Verizon Message+ is set to stop working in a few days (after a month-long delay), and Google is out with a brief guide for those switching to its Messages app.
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After abandoning the previous design a few months ago, Google Messages is back with another redesign of the text field.
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Google Messages has redesigned the UI for taking and sending pictures that permanently merges a live camera viewfinder with your gallery. As part of this, Google is also rolling out the ability to send pictures and videos in “Original quality.”
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RCS has been a long journey, but with Apple finally adopting the standard in its latest iOS update, messaging is genuinely improving for users. In a new campaign, Samsung and Google tout support for RCS on Galaxy devices and Android following Samsung’s full embrace of Google Messages.
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For the most part, message backup on Android today is handled on the system-level by Google (One). Google Messages is now readying an in-app “Backup & restore” experience.
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In addition to adding “Your profile” settings, Google Messages is now explicitly reminding you what name and profile you’re “Sending as.”
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Google Messages is more widely rolling out the simple ability to “Double tap to heart” on Android.
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Last month Verizon announced it would kill its “Message+” app for Android phones sold on its network, transitioning users over to Google Messages. But, now, Verizon has extended the timeline a bit.
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After adding Magic Rewrite to the grid of shortcuts, Google Messages is testing giving Magic Compose a more prominent position and button that is always visible.
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Following the last redesign in early 2023, Google Messages is testing a new look for read receipts in RCS conversations.
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With the latest beta version of Google Messages, some users are seeing the old text field accidentally return.
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Google Messages has been working on dual SIM RCS since the start of this year, and support is now more widely rolling out in beta.
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The latest round of new features for Google Messages is focused on safety, like “Sensitive Content Warnings” for images that contain nudity. Existing measures protect Android users from 2 billion suspicious messages per month.
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A small change to Google Messages for Android moves the “Rewrite” aspect of Magic Compose.
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In a rather unsurprising move, Verizon Messages (Message+) is shutting down in November and Android users are encouraged to use Google Messages instead.
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In addition to a dedicated FAB, another way Google Messages is encouraging Gemini usage is through a welcome message.
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With RCS rolling out on the iPhone yesterday, Google is looking ahead on new features including cross-platform end-to-end encryption (E2EE) between Android and iPhone.
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Apple today is rolling out iOS 18 with support for RCS in a huge boost to the iPhone-Android messaging experience.
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The saga of the Gemini button in Google Messages continues with the FAB shrinking to its original size.
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