Get started with the Google Messages app

You can send and receive text messages, photos, voice messages, and video using Google Messages. If you don't have Google Messages, you can get it from Google Play.

Make Google Messages your default messaging app

Important: Some of these steps only work on Android 6.0 and up. Learn how to check your Android version.

Important: Your messages are stored in the SMS database on your device, and other apps may be able to access your messages. For more information about how to manage your app permissions, contact your device manufacturer.

If your device has more than one messaging app, you can make Google Messages your default messaging app. When you make Google Messages your default messaging app, you can review your text message history in Google Messages, and you'll only be able to send and receive new text messages in Google Messages.

To set Google Messages as your default messaging app, select an option:

1. Open Google Messages . Learn where to find your apps.
2. When prompted to change your default messaging app, follow the onscreen instructions.

Alternatively:

1. Open Settings .
2. Click Apps.
3. In the list of apps, click Google Messages SMS Google Messages .

If you no longer want Google Messages to be your default messaging app, you can uninstall Google Messages or change your default messaging app from your device's settings.

Start a conversation with one of your contacts

If a contact is already in your phone, it will show as a contact in your Google Messages. You can also add a new contact from within the app itself.

1. Open Google Messages .
2. Tap Start chat.
3. Enter the name, phone number, or email of the person you're sending a message to.
4. Type your message and tap .

Add a new number in your conversation list as a contact

1. Open Google Messages .
2. Select an existing conversation with someone not in your contacts.
3. Tap More Add contact.

Add a new contact from a group conversation

1. Open Google Messages .
2. Select a group conversation with the number you want to add as a contact.
3. Tap More Details.
4. Tap the number you want to add Add contact.

Change notification settings for specific people

1. Open Google Messages .
2. Open a conversation with the person you want to change notifications for.
3. Tap More Details Notifications.

You can turn notifications on or off completely for this person, or edit advanced settings for how notifications display on your device.

Related resources

• Your chats stay private with spam detection
• Understand the basics of privacy in Google Messages
• About suspicious message alerts