Google is rolling out the promised web client for Android Messages. The company today launched the new web app for Android Messages, which works similar to WhatsApp Web and Allo Web. To start messaging from your browser, all you need to do is open up Android Messages on your phone and scan the QR code shown by the site. Once that’s done, you will be able to access your existing messages or send new ones from your browser. You can send things like stickers, emojis, pictures, etc. as you would normally expect.
Android Messages is Google’s take on a standardised messaging platform for Android devices, based on RCS. The platform, supported by a bunch of carriers and Android manufacturers, works a lot like iMessage. It effectively offers a modern platform for messaging, allowing you to send and receive rich data without relying on SMS or MMS. Apart from the new web app, it’s also getting a couple of other new features — Smart Reply, link previews, ability to copy OTP codes from notifications, and the ability to send GIFs.
Sign up for our new free newsletter to get three time-saving tips each Friday — and get free copies of Paul Thurrott's Windows 11 and Windows 10 Field Guides (normally $9.99) as a special welcome gift!
"*" indicates required fields
Android Messages — right now — is a bit of a confusing mess. A bunch of carriers support RCS and some device makers are including Android Messages as the default messaging app, but as a regular consumer, you will have a hard time finding out whether your carrier and device maker supports this new platform. Either way, there’s clearly a lot of work to be done here if Google really wants to build an iMessage competitor, but the web client is a good step forward.
skane2600
<p>I agree with dcdevito's comment on the Premium side. I also do this with Google Voice. I use it on a PC, not a phone. I don't really get the advantage of not using SMS or MMS on a smartphone. They are the most universally supported options.</p>
skane2600
<blockquote><a href="#285087"><em>In reply to nbplopes:</em></a></blockquote><p>At least for calls within the US you don't need to have any subscription or pay anything for calling or texting – you just need an Internet connection and free WiFi is abundant in most cities. In my particular case, I do pay for cell service, but when I have a PC available I prefer to use Google Voice because I can type my messages on a real keyboard which I find more comfortable than using a virtual keyboard with tiny letters.</p>