Messages (formerly known as Android Messages) is an
SMS,
RCS, and
instant messaging
Instant messaging (IM) technology is a type of online chat allowing real-time text transmission over the Internet or another computer network. Messages are typically transmitted between two or more parties, when each user inputs text and trigge ...
application developed by
Google
Google LLC () is an American Multinational corporation, multinational technology company focusing on Search Engine, search engine technology, online advertising, cloud computing, software, computer software, quantum computing, e-commerce, ar ...
for its
Android and
WearOS
Wear OS (also known simply as Wear and formerly Android Wear) is a version of Google's Android (operating system), Android operating system designed for smartwatches and other wearable computer, wearables. By pairing with mobile phones running An ...
mobile operating systems, while it's also available via the Web. Messages is Google's official universal messaging platform for the Android ecosystem, similar to the implementation of
iMessage
iMessage is an instant messaging service developed by Apple Inc. and launched in 2011. iMessage functions exclusively on Apple platforms: macOS, iOS, iPadOS, and watchOS.
Core features of iMessage, available on all supported platforms, in ...
in
Apple devices.
History
The original code for Android SMS messaging was released in 2009 integrated into the Operating System. It was released as a standalone application independent of Android with the release of
Android 5.0 Lollipop in 2014, replacing
Google Hangouts
Google Hangouts is a discontinued cross-platform instant messaging service developed by Google. It originally was a feature of Google+, becoming a standalone product in 2013, when Google also began integrating features from Google+ Messenger a ...
as the default
SMS app on
Google's Nexus line of phones.
In 2018, Messages adopted
RCS messages and was evolved to send larger data files, sync with other apps, and even create mass messages. This was in preparation for when Google launched messages for web.
In December 2019, Google rolled out support for
RCS messaging (under the name c''hat features'') in the United States, United Kingdom, France and Mexico. This was followed by a wider global rollout throughout 2020.
The app surpassed 1 billion installs in April 2020,
doubling its number of installs in less than a year.
Initially, the app did not support
end-to-end encryption
End-to-end encryption (E2EE) is a system of communication where only the communicating users can read the messages. In principle, it prevents potential eavesdroppers – including telecommunications service providers, telecom providers, Internet ...
. In June 2021, Google introduced end-to-end encryption in Messages by default using the
Signal Protocol
The Signal Protocol (formerly known as the TextSecure Protocol) is a non- federated cryptographic protocol that can be used to provide end-to-end encryption for voice calls and instant messaging conversations. The protocol was developed by Open ...
, for all one-to-one RCS-based conversations,
and for all group chats in December 2022 for beta users, with plans for full release later that month.
Beginning with the
Samsung Galaxy S21
The Samsung Galaxy S21 is a series of Android-based smartphones designed, developed, marketed, and manufactured by Samsung Electronics as part of its Galaxy S series. They collectively serve as the successor to the Samsung Galaxy S20 series. Th ...
, Messages replaces Samsung's in-house Messages app as the default messaging app for
One UI in selected markets. In April 2021, the app began to receive a modification to its user interface in markets outside of the U.S. when running on recent Samsung phones, which adheres to its use of larger headers within in-house apps to improve ergonomics.
Features
Some of the most important features in Google Messages are:
* Send instant text and voice messages in 1:1 or group chat conversations over mobile data and Wi-Fi, via
Android,
WearOS
Wear OS (also known simply as Wear and formerly Android Wear) is a version of Google's Android (operating system), Android operating system designed for smartwatches and other wearable computer, wearables. By pairing with mobile phones running An ...
or th
Web
* End-to-end encryption by default
* Typing, sent, delivered and read status
* Reply and react to specific messages
* Share files and high-resolution photos
* Voice message transcriptions
* Schedule messages
* In-app reminders for birthdays and messages you didn't respond to after some time with Nudges
* Tight integration with the Google ecosystem, e.g.
Google Calendar
Google Calendar is a time-management and scheduling calendar service developed by Google. It became available in beta release April 13, 2006, and in general release in July 2009, on the web and as mobile apps for the Android and iOS platforms.
...
,
Meet,
Maps
A map is a symbolic depiction emphasizing relationships between elements of some space, such as objects, regions, or themes.
Many maps are static, fixed to paper or some other durable medium, while others are dynamic or interactive. Although ...
,
YouTube
YouTube is a global online video sharing and social media platform headquartered in San Bruno, California. It was launched on February 14, 2005, by Steve Chen, Chad Hurley, and Jawed Karim. It is owned by Google, and is the second mo ...
,
Photos,
Contacts
Contact lenses, or simply contacts, are thin lenses placed directly on the surface of the eyes. Contact lenses are ocular prosthetic devices used by over 150 million people worldwide, and they can be worn to correct vision or for cosmetic ...
,
Assistant,
Search,
Safe Browsing etc.
See also
*
Messages (Apple)
Messages is an instant messaging software application developed by Apple Inc. for its macOS, iOS, iPadOS, and watchOS operating systems.
The mobile version of Messages on iOS used on iPhone and iPad also supports SMS and MMS due to repla ...
*
iMessage
iMessage is an instant messaging service developed by Apple Inc. and launched in 2011. iMessage functions exclusively on Apple platforms: macOS, iOS, iPadOS, and watchOS.
Core features of iMessage, available on all supported platforms, in ...
*
Google Allo
Google Allo was an instant messaging mobile app by Google for the Android and iOS mobile operating systems, with a web client available on Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, and Opera. It closed on March 12, 2019.
The app used phone numbers as ...
*
Google Chat
Google Chat (formerly known as Hangouts Chat) is a communication service developed by Google. Initially designed for teams and business environments, it has since been made available for general consumers. It provides direct message, group co ...
References
External links
*
Google instant messaging software
Instant messaging protocols
{{Google-stub
Instant messaging
Instant messaging clients
Google
Google services
Google software
Telecommunication services
Telecommunication protocols
Web applications
Communication software
Android (operating system) software