Fix issues with Business Messages

You can search for businesses and chat with them using Messages. If you get an error message when you chat with a business, you may need to turn off "browse privately" or update Google Play Services.

Important: Business Messages in Search are only available in the United States.

Turn off "browse privately" in Chrome

You can switch between Incognito tabs and regular Chrome tabs. You only browse in private when you use an Incognito tab.

You can also choose to block third-party cookies when you open a new Incognito window. Learn more about cookies.

Lock Incognito tabs when you leave Chrome

Anyone who uses your device can access Incognito tabs you leave open. To keep your Incognito tabs open and not viewable by other device users, you can lock them.

Important: Some of these steps work only on Android 11 and up. Learn how to check your Android version.

1. On your Android phone, open Chrome .
2. Tap More Settings .
3. Tap Privacy and security.
4. Turn on Lock Incognito tabs when you leave Chrome.

Close Incognito mode to stop private browsing

Incognito mode runs in a separate tab from your normal Chrome tabs.

If you have an Incognito tab open and you open another one, your private browsing session will continue in the new tab. To exit Incognito mode, close all Incognito tabs.

1. On your Android phone or tablet, open Chrome .
2. At the top right, tap Switch tabs . On the right, you'll see your open Incognito tabs.
3. At the top right of your Incognito tabs, tap Close .

Fix problems with Google Play Services

Important: Google Play Services connects apps to other Google services, like Google Sign In and Google Maps. Google Play Services isn’t the same as the Google Play Store app, and is included with Android.

Step 1: Make sure Google Play Services is up-to-date

If you don’t find these options, skip this step.

1. On your Android device, open the Settings app .
2. Tap Apps & notifications See all apps.
3. Scroll down and tap Google Play Services.
4. Scroll down and tap App Details.
5. Tap Update or Install.

Step 2: Clear cache & data from Google Play Services

1. On your Android device, open the Settings app .
2. Tap Apps & notifications See all apps.
3. Scroll down and tap Google Play Services.
4. Tap Storage Clear Cache.
5. Tap Manage Space Clear all Data.
6. Open the Google Play Store .
7. Wait for 5 minutes, then try your download again.

Step 3: Clear your Play Store’s cache & data

Fix app issues when you clear your Play Store's cache and data.

1. On your Android device, open the Settings app .
2. Tap Apps & notifications See all apps.
3. Scroll down and tap Google Play Store .
4. Tap Storage Clear Cache.
5. Tap Clear data.
6. Re-open the Play Store, and try your download again.

If these steps don’t work, find other troubleshooting steps.

Enable Premium SMS

Premium SMS is a type of SMS message, mostly used for charity or voting activities, that is more expensive than your normal mobile phone plan.

To allow Premium SMS:

1. Open your Android phone, open the settings app.
2. Tap Apps & notifications  Special app access.
3. Tap Premium SMS access   Select an option:

• Ask: Each time you'll need to confirm if you want to send a Premium SMS message.
• Always Allow: Your Premium SMS messages will send immediately.
• Never Allow: Your Premium SMS messages are always blocked.

Important: Even if your phone plan includes unlimited texting, you may be charged a fee to send a message to a Premium SMS number.

If you still experience errors with Business Messaging in Search, you may need to upgrade your device.