Check your messages on your computer or Android tablet

You can use your computer or Android tablet to chat with your friends through Messages for web, which shows what’s on your Messages mobile app. Messages for web sends SMS messages using a connection from your computer to your phone, so carrier fees will apply, just like on the mobile app.

Important: The QR code for Messages for web is:

• Unique to your computer or tablet.
• Pairs the mobile app and your device. You can pair your Messages account on multiple devices, but only one computer can be active at a time.

When you open Messages for web on a computer your:

• Conversations on other computers or browser tabs are inactive.
• Tablet remains active.

What you need to get started

On your phone, you need:

• The latest version of Messages
• Wi-Fi or data connection 
• Android 5.0 or higher. Learn how to check your Android version. 

On your computer, you need:

• One of these web browsers: Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, Safari, or Microsoft Edge. It is not available on Internet Explorer.
• An internet connection

Tip: You might get charged for data if you use your phone. To avoid extra charges, connect your phone to Wi-Fi.

Set up Messages for web

1. On your phone, open Messages .
2. Tap More  Device Pairing.
3. On your computer, open Messages for web in a browser, like Chrome or Safari.
4. Optional: To pair with Messages for web automatically next time, check the box "Remember this computer." If you don’t check the box, you can tap More  Settings and toggle on Remember this device after you log in.
5. Using your phone, tap Scan QR code and hold your phone up to the QR code on the web page. When it’s ready, your phone will vibrate.

Important:

• Your latest conversation threads, contacts, and other settings will be encrypted and cached on your browser.
• If you don’t use your Messages account for a few weeks, you’ll be unpaired automatically for security reasons.

See your messages on the web

When you have unread messages, the Messages icon in your browser tab will show a red notification and the number of unread messages.

Tip: You can make Messages for web look darker or use high contrast:

1. On your computer, click More  Enable Dark theme.

Unpair Messages for web

Unpairing helps keep other people from seeing your messages and sensitive info, like two factor verification codes or personal details.

On a computer

If you're using Messages for web on a shared or public computer, unpair when you're done.

1. On your computer, open Messages for web.
2. At the top left, click More  Unpair.

On your Android phone

1. On your phone, open Messages .
2. At the top left, tap More  Device Pairing.
3. Choose where to unpair:

• Unpair one computer: Next to the computer you want to disconnect, tap Delete  Unpair.
• Unpair all computers: Tap Unpair all computers.

Check your messages on your Android tablet

You can check your messages from your Android tablet with Messages by Google. If you don't have Messages on your tablet, you can get it from Google Play.

Important: When you use Messages on your tablet, carrier fees apply.

Tips:

• The unique QR code for Messages pairs the mobile app to your tablet.
• Some tablets with cellular connectivity and a SIM card can send messages without a connection to your phone. This lets your tablet work like a mobile phone.