Android Messages - Droid Life

Google Brings Together All of Its Messaging Apps Under One Unified…Team

Kellen May 7, 2020

Let's just get this out of the way before we get too deep here - Google did not just launch or announce a single unified messaging app that all will love and use going forward. Today, though, Google has announced that it now has a leader and unified team to...

Google is Done Waiting for Carriers, Rolls Out RCS to US in Messages Today

Kellen November 14, 2019

Google is doing it, they are finally doing it. RCS is broadly rolling out to the US through Google's Messages app starting today. Google shared the news with us this morning in a somewhat striking turn of events. You may recall that as they began rolling out...

I Think the Internet Just Figured Out a Way to Force RCS on Your Android Phone

Kellen October 28, 2019

RCS might have arrived in the US without the greenlight from Google and before the carriers can push their own version in 2020. The Internet, because it will always be undefeated, might have figured out how you can force enable RCS on your phone right now. A...

Google Would Love to Bring RCS to Your Phone, but US Carriers are Bad

Kellen July 28, 2019

If you assumed that your US carrier is the reason you haven't been given access to RCS, which should be the future of SMS, you are probably right. Google's Hiroshi Lockheimer said as much in a Tweet this weekend, while sharing news that they have fully rolled...

Google Says It’s Ready to Bring RCS to Your Phone, Carriers be Damned

Kellen June 17, 2019

Less than two weeks ago, just as Verizon gave the Galaxy S9 and Galaxy S9+ access to RCS messaging, I shared with you a few pointed thoughts on how bad the RCS situation has become. In fact, I said that "RCS is dumb" because of the way Google has tried to roll...

Google Messages on Web is Changing Addresses

Kellen March 27, 2019

When Google's Messages app gained web support in June of last year, you accessed it by visiting messages.android.com and then scanning a QR code from your phone to pair up your computer's browser. That original address you visited is likely going to change to...

How to Get “Chat” RCS Features on Verizon Pixel 3, Pixel 3 XL

Kellen December 6, 2018

Verizon confirmed earlier this week that the Pixel 3 and Pixel 3 XL would see support for RCS Universal Profile "Chat" features starting today. We are still awaiting their arrival to the majority of phone owners, but can at least help you see if your phone has...

Google Lays Out Messaging Plans, Including the Fate of Allo and Hangouts

Kellen December 5, 2018

After a couple of new reports attempted to share Google's timeline for shuffling around its messaging apps, possibly killing a couple of them, the company decided to explain their plans in their own words. In a way, this should provide some clarity on the...