Get started with messages & calls

You can send messages and start calls and video calls on your new Android device.

Requirements:

• If you don’t have Messages by Google installed, you can get it from Google Play.
• You need an active SIM or phone number.

Send a message or start a group chat

Important:

• To get messages on your new Android device when you switch from iOS, make sure to Switch texting from iMessage to Messages.
• When you send a message, it may cost a fee. It depends on which method you use. Find out how your message is sent.
• Your carrier may charge you when you use SMS or MMS. If the Send doesn't mention these, it means that your message is sent via RCS. Learn more about RCS cost.

Send a message

1. On your Android device, open Messages .
2. Tap Start chat.
3. In "To," enter the name, phone number, or email address you want to message.
   • You can also pick from your top contacts or your whole contact list.

Start a group chat

1. On your Android device, open Messages .
2. Tap Start chat.
3. To make a group chat, in “To,” enter multiple names, phone numbers, or email addresses you want to message.

Tip: When you switch from iOS to an Android device, you may need to make new group chats.

Start a call or group call

Start a phone call

1. Open your phone's Phone app .
2. Select who to call:
   • To enter a number: Tap Dialpad .
   • To select a saved contact: Tap Contacts .
     • You may find suggested contacts to call based on your call history.
   • To select from the contacts you’ve recently called: Tap Recents .
   • To select from the contacts saved to “Favorites:” Tap Favorites .
3. Tap Call .

Start a group call

1. Open your phone’s Phone app .
2. Select who to call:
   • To enter a number: Tap Dialpad .
   • To select a saved contact: Tap Contacts .
     • You may find suggested contacts to call based on your call history.
   • To select from the contacts you’ve recently called: Tap Recents .
   • To select from the contacts saved to “Favorites:” Tap Favorites .
3. Tap Call .
4. While connected to the first call, tap Add call .
5. Enter a phone number.
6. Tap Call .
   • If you need to add more people in the call, repeat Steps 4 to 6.

Start a video call

There are multiple ways to start a video call.

Start a video call in Google Meet

1. Open the Meet app .
2. At the bottom right, tap New .
3. Select an option:
   • Start a video call:
     1. Select one of your contacts.
     2. Tap Call.
   • Create a group video call:
     1. Tap Create group.
     2. Select multiple contacts.
     3. Tap Done .
     4. Tap Start.

Start a video call in Messages

1. Open the Messages app .
2. Go to an existing conversation with the contact you want to video call.
3. Tap Video call .

Start a video call in the Phone app

1. Open the Phone app .
2. From your contacts, select the contact you want to video call.
3. On the left, tap Video call .

Tip: If you use Samsung’s version of the Phone app on your Samsung phone:

1. Select the contact you want to video call.
2. In the contact detail screen, on the right, select Google Meet .

Get FaceTime calls on Chrome browser

With the release of iOS 15, you can answer FaceTime calls from iOS devices on Chrome browsers. Learn how to receive FaceTime calls on your Android phone.

1. On your Android device, tap the link provided by the host iOS device.
2. Enter your name.
   • To use your microphone and camera, you may need to allow permission for Chrome.
3. Tap Join.
   • The host has to let you into the call.

Tip: Outgoing FaceTime calls can’t be made in Chrome browser, it can only receive incoming calls.

Send & get messages on your computer browser

Important: To send and get messages from Google Messages on your PC or Mac, you need an internet connection.Learn more about how to check your messages on your computer or Android tablet.

1. On your computer, open messages.google.com.
2. At the top right, select Messages for web.
   • You’re prompted with a QR code. Keep this page open.
3. On your Android device, open Messages .
4. Tap your profile picture or initial  Device pairing  QR code scanner.
5. With the Messages app open, scan the QR code on your computer’s web page.
   • Your messages are now synced and displayed on your computer.

Related resources

• Switch texting from iMessage to Messages
• Switch to a new Android device
• Get started with Messages