Google’s RCS-Powered Messages App Could Have All the iMessage Features You Need – CNET

While its presently just readily available on Android phones, Google reported in May that there are now half a billion people actively using its RCS-powered Chat functions. These features, which are similar to many of the best aspects of Apples iMessage, include typing signs, file encryption and higher-quality image and video sharing.RCS now has the support of the 3 significant United States providers with Verizon, T-Mobile and AT&T dedicating to make Googles Messages app the default on Android phones, and because then Google has consistently called for Apple to consider supporting the requirement in a variation of iOS.

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Android Finally Has an Answer to iMessage Envy

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While RCS isnt yet near becoming the real replacement to SMS, you need to still turn it on if you have an Android phone. Googles Chat features make texting between compatible phones a breeze, particularly if you arent sure whether your friend or family member uses another service such as WhatsApp, Signal, Telegram or another texting app. The Chat features in Googles Messages app are not to be puzzled with the completely different Google Chat app on iOS and Android, which replaces Google Hangouts.Lets take a better take a look at how to begin utilizing Googles Chat features, and some of the more nuanced aspects of Chat.How to get going with Googles Chat function First, youll require an Android phone with Googles Messages app set up and set as the default text-messaging app. The very first time you launch Messages, it will ask if you wish to set it as your default app. Just follow the triggers and do not stress, you will not lose your discussion history by changing. After setting Messages as your default messaging app, take a number of minutes and established Messages for Web, which enables you to send and get text messages from your computer system. The service is worldwide readily available, so it should not matter which provider you use or what country you reside in, as long as you have the Messages app installed and are using it, youll have access to Chat. Turning on Chat takes just a few taps and youre all set..
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Turn Googles Chat functions on After installing Googles Messages app and setting it as your default texting app, there are 2 different ways to make it possible for Chat. You can either wait on a timely in the Messages app asking if you wish to see when your friends are typing– a timely that has revealed up nearly quickly for me on the last few Android phones I have set up, or you can enter into the Settings section of Messages choose Chat functions and slide the switch beside Enable chat functions to the On position.This exact same settings page is likewise where you can go to turn your read invoices on or off, as well as disable the typing sign whenever youre typing and control what takes place if Chat stops working to send a message. You can likewise see the current status of your phones connection to the Chat service in the settings section of the app if you run into issues with sending out messages. As long as it states Connected, your telephone number is registered with Chat and must use the service whenever youre talking with a contact who also has Chat made it possible for. Thats a crucial element of Chat. Whoever youre talking to will also need to have the feature enabled on their device to utilize the new chat functions, though obviously all typical texting features still apply. Youll be able to take benefit earlier by getting your good friends to use Google Messages. You can assist them through the setup procedure (or send them a link to this post). See that dark blue bubble? That informs you youre utilizing Chat..
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Use the new Chat features in a discussion After you turn on chat features, the Messages app will continue to work and look the same, and you should keep using it the very same method you always have. The app knows when youre speaking with somebody through text or another contact with chat turned on. If a discussion is utilizing old-fashioned text messaging or the brand-new chat features is to look at the text box prior to you start typing, the easiest way to inform. If package says “Chat message” then the conversation will have typing signs, read invoices, and the rest of the functions that RCS Messaging deals. Another way to quickly recognize the kind of messages youre sending is by the color of the text bubble. A regular text discussion will have a light blue bubble, while a chat message will be a darker shade of blue. An enjoyable feature readily available in chat is adding responses to messages. Simply long-press on a message till a bubble reveals up, providing you with a few various choices, including like, love, anger or laughter. When chat features remain in usage, youll see delivered and checked out invoices underneath each message youve sent out, and you can send full-resolution pictures and share files with fellow chat users. You do not need to do anything special to send a high-resolution image, simply tap on the image icon in the app and choose a photo or video. Youll see a loading circle on the image as its uploaded and sent, however otherwise the process looks and works the very same as sending a text message. Since Chat works over mobile information or Wi-Fi, you can put your phone in airplane mode and youll still have the ability to send out and get messages with other Chat users utilizing only a Wi-Fi connection. One-on-one conversations are secured, however group messages arent..
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Switching phones? Ensure you turn Chat off Just like Apples iMessage tries holding onto your contact number if you forget to disable it, so does Chat. Prior to you eliminate the SIM card from your phone, make sure to turn off Chat. If you forget to turn it off prior to moving your SIM card to a brand-new phone, chat functions could continue to work for approximately 8 days. Significance, you may not get messages sent to your number by somebody else who is utilizing chat. Disable Chat by opening Settings > > Chat features in the Messages app and slide the switch beside Enable chat functions to the Off position. I recommend waiting a few minutes after turning it off to let Googles servers process the demand, and ensure your number does not get stuck in limbo. How to inform if a chat is encryptedRight now, only conversations between you and another individual utilizing chat are secured. File encryption for group talks is still in the works. There isnt anything unique you need to do to begin using the one-to-one encryption function, but it is possible to inspect its working appropriately. When starting a conversation with another Chat user, youll see a banner on your screen with a lock icon and a confirmation that youre “Chatting with [name/number]” The send out icon, which looks like a paper aircraft, will have a small lock icon on it. The timestamps consisted of in your conversation will likewise consist of a lock icon. That lock is a easy and quick method to see that a particular message or conversation is encrypted.

The Chat features in Googles Messages app are not to be puzzled with the completely separate Google Chat app on iOS and Android, which replaces Google Hangouts.Lets take a closer look at how to begin using Googles Chat features, and some of the more nuanced aspects of Chat.How to get begun with Googles Chat feature First, youll require an Android phone with Googles Messages app set up and set as the default text-messaging app. Turn Googles Chat features on After installing Googles Messages app and setting it as your default texting app, there are 2 various ways to enable Chat. Utilize the brand-new Chat functions in a discussion After you turn on chat features, the Messages app will continue to work and look the exact same, and you need to keep using it the same method you always have. When chat features are in use, youll see delivered and checked out receipts beneath each message youve sent, and you can send out full-resolution photos and share files with fellow chat users. Disable Chat by opening Settings > > Chat functions in the Messages app and slide the switch next to Enable chat functions to the Off position.

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