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Google Messages

78

Those RCS chat 'hacks' for Google Messages will stop working by the end of the month (Update: More details from Google)

Ryne Hager

Before Google saved us all from the tyranny of the carriers, some enterprising folks worked out a sort of "hack" that enabled Google's RCS/chat services, letting us all send messages with the futuristic protocol, even if we weren't in one of the few supported markets. When it did finally start rolling out in the US, Google said that those using the hack would eventually be migrated after the initial rollout was complete. Now Google has announced that it is disabling that "hack" workaround by the end of the month.

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29

'Autofill code from Messages' feature spotted, makes entering SMS-based 2FA keys a snap

Ryne Hager

Last year, a new "verification code autofill" setting appeared as part of a Play Services update that promised to plug the SMS-based 2FA gap for apps that use Android's snazzy SMS Retriever API for verification codes. In short, it would be another way to autofill SMS 2FA codes that might be able to work with any app, regardless of developer support. And based on user reports, the feature may be rolling out.

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72

Google is testing floating conversations in Messages, uses Android 10's "bubble" feature

Mark Koegel

Android has been experimenting with floating bubble notifications for some time now, but there have been no apps with which to use the feature despite the option being available within the developer menu. XDA had uncovered that Google was testing the new bubble functionality in its Messages app, and they have now managed to enable it. Implemented in the app, it works very similarly to Facebook Chat heads, and if eventually enabled by Google, will let you view entire conversations in addition to replying.

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29

Google Messages rolls out Verified SMS to protect you from spam and phishing (APK Download) (Update: Official)

Rita El Khoury

Earlier this year, our APK guru Cody discovered signs of Verified SMS coming to Google's Messages app. At the time, we didn't know what the feature was exactly or how it'd work. With it starting to go live now, we've discovered that it doesn't work for all numbers, just businesses, and specifically those registered with Google.

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190

Everything you wanted to know about Google's RCS but were afraid to ask

Ryne Hager

Following the formal reveal that Google is rolling out its flavor of RCS in the US, we had a few lingering questions, like what happens to folks that previously used the "hack," has the security used by Google's RCS changed at all to accommodate the US market, and is Google going to open its solution up for other messaging apps? (All among a longer list of even more technical questions.)

We reached out to Google and put together a little explainer for the subject that should make everything a little easier to understand.

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229

Opinion: Screw the carriers, Google should roll out RCS messaging worldwide

Ryne Hager

I don’t know how many people have taken advantage of the RCS “hack” recently discovered in Google Messages, which allows almost anyone to hop onto Google’s Jibe servers for RCS/Chat messaging, but it must be a pretty insane number given the attention our walkthrough has received. For some of those folks, this last week has been a source of anxiety, too, as all of us enjoying the new “Chat” features are left wondering whether or not Google will let this carrier circumvention fly. There was even a small hiccup that stirred up some panic. But if Google really wants what is best for consumers, it should do more than just ignore this apparent workaround.

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37

Google Messages gets new share and download buttons in image viewer [APK Download]

Manuel Vonau

Google's design language is ever-evolving, and thus its apps are always changing, too. The same is true for Messages, which has only recently received automatic dark mode support on Android 10 and the ability to set chat reminders. The most recent tweak is far more minor, though. Messages version 5.2 sports a redesigned image viewer that moves the share and save buttons from the top to the bottom, making them more accessible.

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719

Here's how to enable RCS in the Messages app yourself right now (Update: Carrier-specific servers)

Ryne Hager

Even though it sounded like there might be some caveats, the big four US carriers recently announced that they'd finally get their act together and roll out a joint RCS system, bringing modern messaging to US customers sometime next year. Too little, too late, carriers. Earlier today, some folks figured out how to forcibly enable RCS on seemingly any recent phone here in the US via Google's Messages app. At first, it sounded too good to be true, but in our own testing, it works.

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18

Group spam reporting coming to Google Messages

Ryne Hager

Spam is one of the banes of contemporary digital life, but a new change to Google's Messages app should at least make it a bit easier to manage. Earlier this week, a Google employee revealed that Messages is getting the ability to report group spam messages, though it isn't live for us just yet.

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15

Google Messages 5.2 lets you set chat reminders

Rita El Khoury

Step by step, Google is improving its Messages experience. The last addition to the app in v5.0 was a dark theme that syncs with the system mode on Android 10, but a new version brings a more substantial feature: You can now set reminders for chats.

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