9 Google Messages settings I alter on each new Android telephone – and why

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ZDNET’s key takeaways

• Google Messages has a number of settings value checking.
• PSA: Gemini chats in Messages are usually not end-to-end encrypted.
• Additionally, small modifications could make texting cleaner and fewer distracting.

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Google Messages is a kind of apps that appear easy sufficient, till they don’t seem to be. It has settings for RCS cats, read receiptstyping indicators, verification codes, nudity warnings, Gemini, spam filteringbubbles, and a lot extra. That is so much for a texting app.

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So, after I arrange a brand new Android phoneI at all times do a fast Google Messages verify and regulate just a few issues earlier than firing off my first messages. My purpose is to textual content whom I need as simply, privately, and securely as I can, with minimal interruptions and information sharing. Why am I utilizing a Google app then? I do know. However there are methods to enhance Messages and get a a lot better expertise.

1. I flip off Delicate Content material Warnings (and uninstall SafetyCore)

Google’s Sensitive Content Warnings characteristic can detect, blur, and warn about pictures which will comprise nudity. The warnings seem when receiving, sending, or forwarding pictures in a chat. All detection occurs on the gadget, and no pictures are despatched to Google.

Nevertheless it’s powered by a controversial “Android System SafetyCore” characteristic that arrived quietly someday final yr with out Google explicitly warning customers what it does. The characteristic is basically an underlying system service that apps can use for on-device content material detection.

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Google mentioned warnings are off by default for adults, nevertheless it’s one of many first issues I verify as a result of I do not need auto-generated alerts in my private messages. I additionally uninstall SafetyCore on my Android telephone to forestall it from taking related actions in different apps.

• To verify Delicate Content material Warnings, open Google Messages, faucet the profile image or initials, go to “Messages settings,” scroll to “Safety and security,” faucet “Handle delicate content material warnings,” and ensure “Warnings in Google Messages” is off.
• To uninstall SafetyCore, open Settings, faucet “Apps,” choose “See all apps,” open the three-dot menu, select “Present system,” seek for and discover Android System SafetyCore, then faucet “Uninstall” and make sure.

Observe: Uninstalling SafetyCore might affect some options, together with Spam safety (open Google Messages, faucet the profile image or initials, go to “Messages settings,” scroll to “Safety and security,” and search for “Spam safety”), which helps detect and warn about scams in chats. I additionally suspect SafetyCore might assist cover the “delicate” lock-screen previews I point out in tip 8 under.

2. I restrict Google profile sharing

Google Messages shares my Google Account profile, together with my identify and film, with anybody I am texting. However Google mentioned its profile sharing characteristic will not present my e-mail handle or telephone quantity, and the setting might be personalized to indicate nothing in any respect.

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Open Google Messages, faucet the profile picture or initials, then faucet “Your profile.” On the “Customise the way you’re seen” display, change the “Present identify and film” setting to “Nobody,” or select “Solely your contacts” or “Folks you message,” if most popular.

3. I flip off Gemini in Messages

Gemini may also help me draft messages proper contained in the Messages app. The factor is, Google’s personal help page notes one necessary element: chats with Gemini in Google Messages are usually not end-to-end encrypted (E2EE), though Messages itself supports E2EE chats. I want to maintain hackers, ISPs, and even the platforms themselves out of my personal conversations.

Additionally: You can turn off Gemini in Gmail, Photos, Chrome, and more

So, though Gemini might be helpful, I am going to keep on with texting my husband about choosing up rest room paper with out utilizing AI.

To show off Gemini, open Google Messages, faucet the profile image or initials, faucet “Messages settings,” then “Gemini in Messages,” and switch off the “Present Gemini” button. If a Gemini chat exists, open that chat, faucet the three-dot menu, and delete the dialog.

4. I flip off all options

Google Messages provides completely different sorts of options. It may well counsel chat replies, present sticker reply choices, and floor related shortcuts to calendars, GIFs, location sharing, and extra. The characteristic may even nudge me to answer normally and provides me birthday reminders. A few of this functionality could also be helpful. Nevertheless it’s additionally overstimulating. I need a easy, clear expertise with no noise.

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To show options off, open Google Messages, faucet the profile image or initials, go to “Messages settings,” and search for “Options and actions.” From there, flip off “Options,” “Recommended stickers,” “Actions,” and “Nudges.”

5. I auto-delete one-time codes

Verification codes are helpful for about 30 seconds; then they’re finished. I need not preserve a searchable database of expired code threads from banks, pharmacies, supply apps, and random logins. Fortunately, Google Messages has a setting to “auto-delete OTPs” after 24 hours, although availability can fluctuate by gadget, area, and whether or not a “Message group” setting is accessible.

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Open Google Messages, faucet the profile image or initials, faucet “Messages settings,” then “Message group,” and activate “Auto-delete OTPs after 24 hrs.” If “Message group” is lacking, I verify once more after updating Google Messages from the Play Retailer. If it nonetheless is just not there, I transfer on slightly than burn an hour looking for a server-side rollout.

6. I activate RCS (and switch off learn receipts and typing indicators)

I am going to admit RCS does make Google Messages really feel extra like iMessage, with assist for higher-quality media, Wi-Fi messaging, learn receipts, and typing indicators. These options are all nice, however I personally do not love displaying after I’ve learn a message or after I’m mid-reply.

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To vary these settings, open Google Messages, faucet the profile image or initials, faucet “Messages settings,” then “RCS chats.” Flip off “Ship learn receipts” and “Present typing indicators.” I additionally ensure to go away RCS itself on from this menu.

7. I present voice message transcriptions

Voice messages are handy, however I am onerous of listening to. If I am someplace loud, or even when I do not need to play audio out loud, Google Messages can present voice message transcriptions, so the audio clips seem with readable textual content beneath. Helpful.

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To show this characteristic on, open Google Messages, faucet the profile image or initials, go to “Messages settings,” then “Voice message transcription,” and activate “Present voice message transcriptions.” The setting might fluctuate by gadget and language.

8. I disable previews on the lock display

This is not a Google Messages-specific setting. It is extra of an Android privateness setting. Textual content messages can comprise delicate data, and after they immediately seem on a telephone display, I could not need close by eyeballs to see what I’ve obtained. Android lets me management how notification content material seems on the lock display, together with the flexibility to cover delicate content material.

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Open Settings, faucet “Notifications,” then “Notifications on lock display.” From there, disable the choice to “present delicate content material,” or disable the choice to “present notification content material” on the lock display fully. Simply know this may have an effect on all apps. Sadly, Settings > “Apps” > “Messages” > “Notifications” doesn’t supply an choice to disable lock-screen previews just for Messages.

9. Sorry, however I flip off bubbles

Android has these floating chat heads known as bubbles, and I get why some individuals like them. They let conversations pop up over no matter is going on on-screen, so I can reply with out totally opening Messages. However I do not like them. It annoys me after they hover over components of my display whereas I am studying, working, scrolling, or watching one thing, and I am continually swiping them away.

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To show them off, open Settings, faucet “Apps,” choose “Messages,” faucet “Notifications,” then “Bubbles.” Select “Nothing can bubble.”