17 Google Messages Tips Tricks and Features You Need to Know

Google Messages has evolved significantly, offering a plethora of features that enhance your messaging experience. Here are 17 tips, tricks, and features that you should know to get the most out of Google Messages.

1. Send Texts from Your Desktop Computer

You can view, send, and reply to messages from your desktop computer using Google Messages for web. To set this up, open Google Messages on your desktop browser, open the Google Messages app on your phone, tap the three-button menu, select "Device pairing," and then use the QR code scanner to scan the QR code displayed on the web version. If you're using a private computer, toggle the "Remember this computer" switch for automatic reconnection.

2. Activate RCS Chat Features

Activating RCS (Rich Communication Services) in Google Messages brings several benefits, including end-to-end encryption, typing indicators, and read receipts. This feature enhances your messaging experience by providing more functionality than traditional SMS.

3. Verify End-to-End Encryption

Ensure your chats are secure by verifying end-to-end encryption. This feature is available on a chat-by-chat basis, providing an additional layer of security for sensitive conversations.

4. Star Important Messages

You can star important messages to keep them easily accessible. To do this, tap and hold the message you want to star, then tap the star button at the top of your screen. You can view starred messages by tapping the three-button menu and selecting "Starred".

5. Set Message Reminders

Google Messages allows you to set reminders for messages. Tap and hold a message, then tap the "Reminder" button. Choose a preselected date and time or select "Pick date and time" to set a custom reminder. An alarm clock icon will appear next to the message, which you can tap to update the reminder.

6. Share Your Location

Sharing your location is straightforward in Google Messages. Open a conversation, tap the plus button, select "Location," and then tap "Send this location" to share your current location.

7. Pin Conversations

You can pin up to three conversations to keep them at the top of your conversation list. To pin a conversation, tap and hold the conversation you wish to pin, then tap the "Pin" button. To unpin, repeat the same steps.

8. Use Suggestion Features

Google Messages offers several suggestion features, including Smart Reply, Suggested actions, Magic Compose, and Suggested stickers. These features help you respond quickly and add personality to your messages. Access these by going to the home page of Messages, tapping your profile picture, selecting "Messages settings," and then choosing the "Suggestions" option.

9. Schedule Texts

You can schedule texts to be sent at a later time. Open Google Messages, select the contact you want to text, type out your message, press and hold the send message arrow button, set the date and time, and tap "Save." The scheduled time will appear in blue above the message.

10. Customize Swipe Gestures

You can customize swipe gestures in Google Messages to perform actions like archiving, deleting, or marking conversations as read or unread. Go to the Messages app's settings, tap on "Swipe actions," and set up the gestures as desired.

11. Auto-Delete Authentication Codes

Google Messages can automatically delete authentication codes after 24 hours. To enable this, tap your profile picture, select "Messages settings," scroll down to "Message organization," and toggle on the auto-delete option.

12. React to Messages

You can react to messages with emojis. Long-press any message you receive, and you can react with an emoji. Note that SMS and iMessage users will receive a separate text letting them know you reacted to a specific message.

13. Assign Per-Conversation Notification Tones

You can assign custom notification tones for specific contacts. Open the chat you want to customize, tap the three-dot menu button, select "Details," then "Notifications," and choose a custom notification sound.

14. Voice or Video Call from Within the Chat

You can initiate voice or video calls directly from within a chat. Tap the phone icon for a voice call or the video camera icon for a video call via Google Meet. Both parties must have Google Meet for video calls to work.

15. Use Magic Compose

Magic Compose is an AI-driven feature that suggests alternative ideas for your message drafts. This feature is in beta but can help if you're stuck on what to say. Access it through the "Suggestions" settings.

16. Preview YouTube Videos

You can preview YouTube videos directly within Google Messages. This feature allows you to watch video previews without leaving the app.

17. Send High-Quality Videos

Google Messages allows you to send high-quality videos. This feature ensures that your videos are sent in the best possible quality, making it ideal for sharing important or high-resolution content.