Google Messages

I was having this exact issue on my Pixel 4, and now it is happening on my Pixel 5. I also know someone with a Pixel 4xl with the same issue.

The only way to get it working again is to force stop the app. This is only temporary though and the bug makes a return pretty soon after.

However, as per recent comments on the threads for the issue, several users have observed that the issue disappeared for them as soon as they toggled RCS off.

Not exactly the best solution, we know, but at least something to get the Messages app up and running once more. A pure Android device comes with Google Messages, also known as Android Messages which can be installed on most of the Android phones.

Samsung devices come with Samsung Messages which is limited to Samsung mobiles. Google Messages uses a classic interface with a search bar and the main menu button on the top, and a new chat button down the bottom which shrinks as you scroll.

Swiping on each conversation moves the conversation to archive. You can see the archived chats in the top-right menu.

Google Messages shows one line of text preview, while Samsung Messages shows two lines giving you more text to read. It also leaves some space for pinned and favourite conversations.

The option is in the top-right menu of each conversation. Like Google Messages, we have the search bar, menu, and new conversation buttons on Samsung Messages.

The contacts option is distinctive, which shows your contacts. Google Message displays formatted and spaced phone numbers, while Samsung Messages shows the number with the country code with no spaces.

While typing the message, Google Messages displays whether you are sending an SMS or MMS. Moreover, a chat in bold indicates unread messages on Google Messages, and you can see the total number of unread chats next to each conversation in Samsung Messages.

This is one of the prominent rounds of Google Messages vs. Samsung Messages, as the more features you get, the better. Both support many options to send in a message.

The below table shows the combined features with supported features. In the coming months, consumers will be able to find Business Messages in even more places on Android, including within apps and during calls.

Build consumer trust by showing expected wait times and answers to frequently asked questions, and enhance customer care with the ability to connect with a live agent.

Drive loyalty, purchasing, scheduling, and upsell through rich features like carousels, suggested replies, and photos. You can see the issue.

Last year, I reported on a Chinese cyberattack on global carriers pulling SMS from senders and recipients at will. Many reading this will know exactly what this means—but a surprising number of users are still unaware of the differences.

What it means, put simply, is that the message is secured with only the sender and the recipient holding the decryption key. No-one—including the network and WhatsApp—can see what you have sent.

I asked Google whether it has addressed any of the security issues raised by SRLabs—there has been no response as yet. We use messengers to chat with work colleagues.

This means that anyone trying to intercept messages between you and Google would only be able to see encrypted, unreadable text Text anyone from your phone or computer, at any time.

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