Google Messages

Google's SMS and RCS texting app for Android, with encrypted RCS chats and a web companion.

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Verified facts: 4 of 4
Alternatives ranked: 5
Approved reviews: 0
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About Google Messages

Google Messages is the default texting app on most Android phones. It handles SMS and MMS, and upgrades conversations to RCS when both sides support it, adding typing indicators, read receipts, high-quality media and group chats over mobile data or Wi-Fi. RCS chats between Google Messages users are end-to-end encrypted automatically, and RCS now also works with iPhones, which makes cross-platform texting far less painful than plain SMS. Google adds spam and scam detection, scheduled messages, message reactions and Gemini features. On a computer or tablet you can chat through Google Messages for web, which mirrors the conversations on your phone. The app is free, and RCS uses your data plan rather than SMS credits. It only runs on Android, though, and encryption doesn't cover SMS or every RCS conversation with iPhone users, so it works best as a better default texting app rather than a replacement for a dedicated private messenger.

Best for: Android users who want modern texting that reaches any phone number.

What works

Reaches any phone number via RCS or SMS fallback
RCS chats between Google Messages users are encrypted
Built-in spam and scam detection

Why people leave

Android only, with the web version tied to your phone
SMS and many cross-platform chats aren't encrypted
Depends on carriers and phone settings for RCS

Top Google Messages alternatives

See all 5

1
Apple Messages (iMessage)
The Apple-device equivalent if you are switching from Android to iPhone.
66.5
2
WhatsApp
Works identically across Android, iPhone and desktop, with encryption in every chat.
62.6
3
Signal
Encrypts every conversation regardless of carrier or the other person's phone.
59.6
4
Telegram
Proper desktop apps and cloud sync that don't depend on your phone staying online.
57.2
5
Beeper
Combines SMS with WhatsApp, Signal and other networks in one inbox.
55.3

Why people left Google Messages

In reviewers' own words, from reviews of the apps they moved to. These are their opinions, not ours.

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Google Messages: common questions

Is Google Messages free?

Yes, Google Messages is free to use.

Is Google Messages open source?

No, Google Messages is not open source. Open-source alternatives include Signal.

What platforms does Google Messages run on?

Google Messages is available for Web and Android.

What are the best alternatives to Google Messages?

The highest-ranked Google Messages alternatives right now are Apple Messages (iMessage), WhatsApp and Signal. See the full ranked list for pricing, platforms and verified facts.

See all 5 Google Messages alternatives

Google Messages facts

4 of 4 verified

End-to-end encryption: RCS chats between Google Messages users; Checked Oct 25, 2026support.google.com(opens source in a new tab); “How end-to-end encryption in Google Messages provides more security Google Messages supports end-to-end encryption when messaging other users using Google Messages over Rich Communication Services”
SMS encryption: Not available; Checked Oct 25, 2026support.google.com(opens source in a new tab); “Important: End-to-end encryption isn’t available for SMS/MMS messages.”
iPhone RCS: Yes; Checked Oct 25, 2026support.google.com(opens source in a new tab); “RCS is now available for texting between Android and iPhones.”
Web access: Google Messages for web; Checked Oct 25, 2026support.google.com(opens source in a new tab); “chat with your friends through Google Messages for web, which shows what’s on your Google Messages mobile app.”