10 Tips and Tricks To Get the Most Out of Google Messages

Google Messages is now the default message and texting app for bothPixel handsetsandSamsung phones , and it ’s also usable as afree downloadfor anyone else with an Android machine . If you ’ve been using Android for for a while , there ’s a good fortune you rely on Google Messages . While it might seem like a basic texting app , there are a pile of features you should roll in the hay about to get the most out of Google ’s iMessage competition .

Turn on RCS

If you have n’t enable Google ’s SMS - but - better service known as Rich Communication Services ( RCS ) , which offer iMessage - same features like read receipts and meliorate photo and video musical accompaniment , you may do this by tapping the three dose in the top right-hand corner and pick out configurations , Chat feature , and then Enable chat features .

You ’ll see a “ Chatting with … ” message in conversations with fellow RCS users , while SMS will be used as a fallback for those Android user who have n’t turn it on ( and anyone using an iPhone ) . Messages sent via RCS will have a timestamp underneath them as well as a small-scale padlock symbol , point that the contents of the conversation are encrypted .

Put Chats in Bubbles

If you ’re usingAndroid 11or afterwards , your message apps can use bubbles , which are short pop - ups indicating that a new chat is incoming . Google Messages includes support for bubbles , and you’re able to enable them ( either for the app as a whole or only for specific contact ) by tap the three battery-acid ( top right ) and choose options then Bubbles .

Get Smart Replies and Actions

Google can deploy on - gadget contrived intelligence service to play up smart replies , warm suggested response based on the last message or two , in Google Messages like Gmail does for emails . If you ’re pressed for time , you may rap these smart replies to reply in the affirmative or negatively charged , or to send a billet of thanks , or to deliver an appropriate emoji .

There ’s a related characteristic called suggest actions , which lets you make a calendar upshot if you remark a fourth dimension and date , for example , or start a Google Duo call , all with one touch in the conversation window . To enable or disable either of these features , rap on the three dots in the top right-hand recession of the main screen , then break up options and Suggestions .

Schedule Messages

Google Messages comes with a schedule send lineament . To use it , tap the + ( plus ) icon to the leftfield of the schoolbook introduction box , then opt agenda send . It works pretty much as you would expect , and you could specify your own date and time or pick one of the suggestion . Your headphone must be on and connected to data for the message to be sent at the charge time .

Pinch to Zoom

Using the pinch - to - zoom gesture to get a tightlipped feel at maps or photos is second nature to most of us at this point , and you’re able to utilise the same trick inside the Google Messages interface . Open up a conversation , hold two finger on the screen , then move them apart from each other to make the text bigger .

It ’s handy for getting a good facial expression at info ( such as address ) that people have texted to you , as well as checking details in photos . When you want to go back to normal , lift the pinch - to - zoom motion .

Pin Conversation Threads

One way you’re able to make your favorite people and your favorite conversation easier to access is by pinning them to the top of the screen so they stay for good at the top of your chats . Press and hold on a conversation from the main chat tilt , then exploit the pin icon on the top toolbar to stick it in piazza ( or to unpin it again ) .

Find Almost Anything

Google Messages get along with a more comprehensive search function than you might have realize , and you do n’t even have to be sure what you ’re looking for to get started . Tap inside the search box seat at the top of the principal conversation tilt and you ’ll see suggestions for contacts and categories ( like photos or asterisk subject matter ) that you’re able to search for .

tapdance the Places shortcut to attend for any messages that make mention to addresses , for exemplar , or prefer link to find messages that have vane or social media links plant in them . The app lets you research through individual conversation as well : Just tap the magnifying glass ikon on the toolbar at the top , then come in your search terms .

Star Messages

Google Messages includes a simple star feature film that can assist get back to crucial messages easy . If you practice starred content in your email inbox , it ’s the same thought . longsighted military press on a message then tap the star icon to utilise it , and you’re able to quickly find your starred electronic mail by tap the three dots ( top right hand ) and then choosing Starred .

Use Google Messages on the Web

you could access your chat through any entanglement web web browser by navigating tohttps://messages.google.com/weband scan the QR code you find there . From Google Messages on your phone , exploit the three dots ( top rightfulness ) , then equipment pairing , and the QR computer code electronic scanner should appear ( you may see currently mate devices on the same screen ) .

Using the web interface is reasonably straightforward , though both your web browser app and your speech sound take an active internet connection ( you could use the entanglement app independently of your sound at the present moment ) . There ’s a dark mode and a high contrast theme you could change to , and a few utilitarian keyboard cutoff you could habituate . Press ? to see a full list on screen door .

Get Help from Google Assistant

you’re able to see hint from Google Assistant in the middle of your conversation , so if you ’re chatting about the weather with someone , for example , you’re able to appear up the prognosis . All the scanning and analysis happens on your machine . To enable it , pink the three Transportation ( top right ) , then peck options and trace .

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