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

Google Messages is now the default messaging and texting app for each Pixel handsets and Samsung telephones, and it’s additionally accessible as a free download for anybody else with an Android gadget. If you’ve been utilizing Android for awhile, there’s a superb likelihood you depend on Google Messages. While it’d seem to be a fundamental texting app, there are a slew of options it’s best to find out about to get probably the most out of Google’s iMessage rival.

Turn on RCS

If you haven’t enabled Google’s SMS-but-better service often called Rich Communication Services (RCS), which affords iMessage-like options like learn receipts and improved picture and video help, you are able to do this by tapping the three dots within the prime proper nook and selecting Settings, Chat options, after which Enable chat options.

You’ll see a “Chatting with…” message in conversations with fellow RCS customers, whereas SMS might be used as a fallback for these Android customers who haven’t turned it on (and anybody utilizing an iPhone). Messages despatched by way of RCS could have a timestamp beneath them in addition to a small padlock image, indicating that the contents of the dialog are encrypted.

Put Chats in Bubbles

If you’re utilizing Android 11 or later, your messaging apps can use bubbles, that are little pop-ups indicating {that a} new chat is incoming. Google Messages consists of help for bubbles, and you’ll allow them (both for the app as an entire or just for particular contacts) by tapping the three dots (prime proper) and selecting Settings then Bubbles.

Get Smart Replies and Actions

Google can deploy on-device synthetic intelligence to convey up sensible replies, fast steered responses primarily based on the final message or two, in Google Messages like Gmail does for emails. If you’re pressed for time, you possibly can faucet these sensible replies to answer within the affirmative or adverse, or to ship a notice of thanks, or to ship an applicable emoji.

There’s a associated function referred to as steered actions, which lets you create a calendar occasion in case you point out a time and date, for instance, or begin a Google Duo name, all with one contact within the dialog window. To allow or disable both of those options, faucet on the three dots within the prime proper nook of the primary display screen, then decide Settings and Suggestions.

Schedule Messages

Google Messages comes with a schedule ship function. To use it, tap the + (plus) icon to the left of the textual content entry field, then select Schedule ship. It works just about as you’d count on, and you’ll specify your personal date and time or decide one of many solutions. Your cellphone have to be on and related to knowledge for the message to be despatched on the appointed time.

Pinch to Zoom

Using the pinch-to-zoom gesture to get a more in-depth take a look at maps or photographs is second nature to most of us at this level, and you should use the identical trick contained in the Google Messages interface. Open up a dialog, maintain two fingers on the display screen, then transfer them aside from one another to make the textual content greater.

It’s useful for getting a greater take a look at data (similar to addresses) that individuals have texted to you, in addition to checking particulars in photographs. When you wish to return to regular, reverse the pinch-to-zoom gesture.

Pin Conversation Threads

One approach you can also make your favourite individuals and your favourite conversations simpler to entry is by pinning them to the highest of the display screen so they keep completely on the prime of your chats. Press and maintain on a dialog from the primary chat record, then faucet the pin icon on the highest toolbar to stay it in place (or to unpin it once more).

Find Almost Anything

Google Messages comes with a extra complete search perform than you may need realized, and also you don’t even have to make sure what you’re on the lookout for to get began. Tap contained in the search field on the prime of the primary dialog record and also you’ll see solutions for contacts and classes (like photographs or starred messages) which you could seek for.

Tap the Places shortcut to search for any messages that make reference to addresses, for instance, or select Links to seek out messages which have net or social media hyperlinks embedded in them. The app allows you to search by way of particular person conversations as effectively: Just faucet the magnifying glass icon on the toolbar on the prime, then enter your search phrases.

Star Messages

Google Messages features a easy star function that may assist get again to necessary messages simply. If you employ starred messages in your electronic mail inbox, it’s the identical concept. Long press on a message then faucet the star icon to use it, and you’ll shortly discover your starred emails by tapping the three dots (prime proper) after which selecting Starred.

Use Google Messages on the Web

You can entry your chats by way of any net browser by navigating to https://messages.google.com/web and scanning the QR code you discover there. From Google Messages in your cellphone, faucet the three dots (prime proper), then Device pairing, and the QR code scanner ought to seem (you possibly can see presently paired units on the identical display screen).

Using the net interface is pretty easy, although each your browser and your cellphone want an lively web connection (you should use the net app independently of your cellphone in the mean time). There’s a darkish mode and a excessive distinction theme you possibly can swap to, and some helpful keyboard shortcuts you should use. Press ? to see a full record on display screen.

Get Help from Google Assistant

You can see solutions from Google Assistant in the course of your conversations, so in case you’re chatting in regards to the climate with somebody, for instance, you possibly can search for the forecast. All the scanning and evaluation occurs in your gadget. To allow it, faucet the three dots (prime proper), then decide Settings and Suggestions.