Google's official universal messaging platform for the Android ecosystem, Messages employsSMS,MMS, andRich Communication Services (RCS). Starting in 2023, Google has RCS activated by default on participating Android devices,[5] similar to the implementation ofiMessage on Apple devices.[6]
The original code for Android SMS messaging was released in 2009 integrated into the operating system.[7] It was released as a standalone application independent of Android with the release ofAndroid 5.0 Lollipop in 2014, replacingGoogle Hangouts as the defaultSMS app onGoogle's Nexus line of phones.[8]
In 2018, Messages adoptedRCS messages and evolved to send larger data files, sync with other apps, and even create mass messages.[9] This was in preparation for when Google launched Messages for web.[10]
In December 2019, Google began to introduce support forRich Communication Services (RCS) messaging via an RCS service hosted by Google, referred to in the user interface as "chat features".[11] This was followed by a wider global rollout throughout 2020.[12]
The app surpassed 1 billion installs in April 2020,[13] doubling its number of installs in less than a year.[14]
Initially, RCS did not supportend-to-end encryption.[11] In June 2021, Google introduced end-to-end encryption in Messages by default using theSignal Protocol, for all one-to-one RCS-based conversations,[15][16][17][18] for all RCS group chats in December 2022 for beta users,[19][20] and for all RCS users by August 2023, as well as enabling RCS for all users by default to encourage encryption.[21] In July 2023, Google announced it would build theMessage Layer Security (MLS) end-to-end encryption protocol into Google Messages.[22]
Beginning with theSamsung Galaxy S21, Messages replaces Samsung's in-house Messages app as the defaulttext messaging app forOne UI for some regions and carriers.[23] In April 2021, the app began to receive UI modifications on Samsung devices to follow aspects of One UI, including pushing the top of the message list towards the middle of the screen to improve ergonomics.[24][25]
In February 2023, Google began to replace references to "chat features" in the Messages user interface with "RCS".[26] In August 2023, Google announced that Messages will use RCS by default for all users unless they opt out, to allow them to benefit from secure messaging.[21] In December 2023, with the arrival of several new features, the app was renamed "Google Messages".[4]
In July 2024, Samsung announced it would no longer pre-install Samsung Messages on its Galaxy devices in some regions, starting with theGalaxy Z Fold 6 and Flip, favoring Google Messages instead.[27]
Web interface: Users can visithttps://messages.google.com/web and either sign in with their Google account or scan theQR code that is shown with their smartphone to access a limited web version of the app that allows them to send and receive messages, provided the smartphone remains connected.[35]
Phone number recognition: The app shows the country and province of the caller. Additionally, it can show the company's name or a warning for spam calls if the number is registered in a data base.[36]
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