All those conversations right at your fingertips
Although we're used to reaching for our phones when it comes to texting people, it's becoming more common to be able to text from any device. WhatsApp Desktop is probably one of the most popular ways to send and receive messages from your computer, which makes it easy to keep in touch with people.
Google Messages offers a similar feature, which allows you to send and receive SMS, MMS, and RCS messages from your computer. The process is relatively seamless, as it only requires a web browser and an active internet connection, and works on virtually any device and operating system. Here's how to get started.
Before you can send and receive text messages from your computer, you'll need to install the Google Messages app. It comes preinstalled on most Android phones, even the most affordable ones. However, if you use a different SMS application, grab Messages from the Play Store using the link below. It's also worth ensuring RCS is enabled on your device for a more modern experience, although sending texts from your computer isn't necessary.
Once the app is downloaded, follow the prompts on your smartphone to make it your default messaging app. Now you're ready to set up the Messages client in your browser.
To keep Messages linked to your computer even after you close the window, click Yes on the pop-up message above your threads if you didn't toggle it on previously.
The Messages web app works like it does on your phone, from the Start chat button to the same basic menu system. You'll see your phone contacts synced with the web client if you haven't signed in to your Google account.
Then, check out the settings menu to adjust some key preferences. These are accessible through the three-dot menu button. You can toggle dark mode on or off, enable notifications, turn read receipts on or off, and change how you send messages with the Enter key on your keyboard.
For Google Messages to work in your browser, your computer and smartphone need an active internet connection. However, they don't need to be on the same networks, which means you can use Google Messages to text people even when you forget your phone at home.
Google Messages works in your web browser and doesn't require you to download an app on your computer. However, this also means it has to live next to all the other tabs you may have open on your computer, which isn't ideal. Even if there isn't a built-in app, you can install it as a web app on your computer if you use Google Chrome on your computer. Here's how to do it:
Google Messages is one of the most complete messaging apps, allowing you to text relatives, detect spam, and customize how you send and receive messages. If you'd like to learn more about Google Messages and use it to its fullest, check out our list of tips and tricks, which will help you enjoy the app to its highest potential.
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Hagop is a tech-savvy guy, who’s also into traveling, fitness, biking, food, and planes. He’s heptalingual and has lived in 5 different countries, but has decided to settle in Paris for the time being.
Will is the Phones Editor at Android Police, which means he usually has a dozen different smartphones on his desk at any given time. He covers everything from leaks of your next phone to the components that’ll power it. He’s got plenty of opinions about the current state of Android phones — thoughts you’ll read in his reviews, editorials, and more. You’ll also find him writing up our buyer’s guides, where he hopes to help shoppers make the right choice in their next phone.
Will appears on the Android Police podcast, where he occasionally taunts his co-hosts with bad opinions about smartwatches and charging cables, and writes AP’s weekend polls. In his spare time, he produces podcasts, rewatches the same 37 films, and pretends not to have a never-ending backlog of video games. He lives in Buffalo, NY and is willing to give you chicken wing recommendations at any time. Just ask. You can reach out to him directly at [email protected].