Check your messages on your computer

You can use your computer 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.

Note: The QR code for Messages for web is unique to your computer and pairs the mobile app to that computer. You can pair your Messages account on multiple devices, but only one will be active at a time. When you open Messages for web on a computer, your conversations on any other computers or browser tabs will become inactive.

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  Messages for web.
3. On your computer, open Messages for web in a browser, like Chrome or Safari.
4. Optional: To sign in to 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 signed out 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, tap More  Enable Dark theme.

Sign out of Messages for web

Signing out 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, sign out when you're done.

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

On your Android phone

1. On your phone, open Messages .
2. At the top left, tap More  Messages for web.
3. Choose where to sign out:

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