# Google Messages

> Simple, helpful messaging by Google

Canonical page: [https://chrome-stats.com/d/com.google.android.apps.messaging](https://chrome-stats.com/d/com.google.android.apps.messaging)

## Overview

- **ID:** `com.google.android.apps.messaging`
- **Platform:** Android
- **Type:** Android app
- **Status:** Available
- **Publisher:** Google LLC
- **Category:** COMMUNICATION
- **Downloads:** 11,574,324,942
- **Rating:** 4.38 / 5 (47,833,768 ratings)
- **Version:** messages.android\_20260824\_01\_RC04.phone\_dynamic
- **Last updated:** 2026-09-10
- **First published:** 2014-11-12
- **Publisher country:** US
- **Size:** 146 MB
- **Data as of:** 2026-09-14
- **Store listing:** [Google Play Store](https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.google.android.apps.messaging)
- **Privacy policy:** [http://www.google.com/policies/privacy](http://www.google.com/policies/privacy)

## Description

Google Messages is the official messaging app by Google that transforms texting with Rich Communication Services (RCS). It allows users to share high-resolution photos and videos, participate in dynamic group chats, and connect seamlessly with other RCS users including iPhone friends. The app features customizable chat bubbles and fun selfie GIFs to personalize conversations.

Privacy is a top priority with end-to-end encryption ensuring that messages and attachments remain private. Advanced spam protection helps keep unwanted messages at bay. Additionally, the app integrates AI features like Magic Compose to help craft the perfect message. Google Messages supports multi-device use across phones, tablets, computers, and Wear OS devices, providing a richer, safer, and more expressive way to connect.

## Rankings

- #19 — Overall
- #7 — Android wear (Free)
- #12 — Communication (Free)
- #191 — Application (Free)
- #186 — Top free
- #186 — Top paid

## Permissions and access

### Permissions

- `android.permission.ACCESS_COARSE_LOCATION`
- `android.permission.ACCESS_FINE_LOCATION`
- `android.permission.ACCESS_MESSAGES_ON_ICC`
- `android.permission.ACCESS_NETWORK_STATE`
- `android.permission.ACCESS_RCS_USER_CAPABILITY_EXCHANGE`
- `android.permission.CALL_PHONE`
- `android.permission.CAMERA`
- `android.permission.CHANGE_NETWORK_STATE`
- `android.permission.CONNECTIVITY_USE_RESTRICTED_NETWORKS`
- `android.permission.DETECT_SCREEN_RECORDING`
- `android.permission.DOWNLOAD_WITHOUT_NOTIFICATION`
- `android.permission.FOREGROUND_SERVICE`
- `android.permission.FOREGROUND_SERVICE_DATA_SYNC`
- `android.permission.FOREGROUND_SERVICE_MEDIA_PROCESSING`
- `android.permission.FOREGROUND_SERVICE_REMOTE_MESSAGING`
- `android.permission.GET_PACKAGE_SIZE`
- `android.permission.INTERNET`
- `android.permission.MODIFY_PHONE_STATE`
- `android.permission.PERFORM_IMS_SINGLE_REGISTRATION`
- `android.permission.PERSONAL_CONTEXT_HOST_INSIGHT_SURFACE`
- `android.permission.PERSONAL_CONTEXT_PUBLISH_HINTS`
- `android.permission.PERSONAL_CONTEXT_READ_SETTINGS`
- `android.permission.PERSONAL_CONTEXT_RECEIVE_INSIGHTS`
- `android.permission.POST_NOTIFICATIONS`
- `android.permission.QUERY_ADVANCED_PROTECTION_MODE`
- `android.permission.QUERY_USERS`
- `android.permission.READ_APP_BADGE`
- `android.permission.READ_CELL_BROADCASTS`
- `android.permission.READ_CONTACTS`
- `android.permission.READ_MEDIA_AUDIO`
- `android.permission.READ_MEDIA_IMAGES`
- `android.permission.READ_MEDIA_VIDEO`
- `android.permission.READ_MEDIA_VISUAL_USER_SELECTED`
- `android.permission.READ_PHONE_NUMBERS`
- `android.permission.READ_PHONE_STATE`
- `android.permission.READ_PRECISE_PHONE_STATE`
- `android.permission.READ_PRIVILEGED_PHONE_STATE`
- `android.permission.READ_PROFILE`
- `android.permission.READ_SMS`
- `android.permission.READ_SYSTEM_GRAMMATICAL_GENDER`
- `android.permission.RECEIVE_BOOT_COMPLETED`
- `android.permission.RECEIVE_MMS`
- `android.permission.RECEIVE_SMS`
- `android.permission.RECEIVE_WAP_PUSH`
- `android.permission.RECORD_AUDIO`
- `android.permission.REQUEST_IGNORE_BATTERY_OPTIMIZATIONS`
- `android.permission.SATELLITE_COMMUNICATION`
- `android.permission.SCHEDULE_EXACT_ALARM`
- `android.permission.SEND_SMS`
- `android.permission.START_FOREGROUND_SERVICES_FROM_BACKGROUND`
- `android.permission.VIBRATE`
- `android.permission.WAKE_LOCK`
- `android.permission.WRITE_CONTACTS`
- `android.permission.WRITE_EXTERNAL_STORAGE`
- `android.permission.WRITE_SMS`
- `com.anddoes.launcher.permission.UPDATE_COUNT`
- `com.android.vending.BILLING`
- `com.cequint.ecid.CALLER_ID_EXTERNAL_LOOKUP_SMS`
- `com.google.android.apps.aicore.service.BIND_SERVICE`
- `com.google.android.apps.stargate.endpointservice.ACCESS_ENDPOINT_SERVICE`
- `com.google.android.apps.stargate.permission.END_EMERGENCY_INTENTS`
- `com.google.android.apps.stargate.permission.SEND_EMERGENCY_INTENTS`
- `com.google.android.c2dm.permission.RECEIVE`
- `com.google.android.finsky.permission.BIND_GET_INSTALL_REFERRER_SERVICE`
- `com.google.android.ims.LOG_ACCESS`
- `com.google.android.ims.providers.ACCESS_DATA`
- `com.google.android.providers.gsf.permission.READ_GSERVICES`
- `com.google.android.setupwizard.READ_DEVICE_ORIGIN`
- `com.google.android.setupwizard.READ_DEVICE_ORIGIN_FIRST_PARTY`
- `com.htc.launcher.permission.READ_SETTINGS`
- `com.htc.launcher.permission.UPDATE_SHORTCUT`
- `com.huawei.android.launcher.permission.CHANGE_BADGE`
- `com.huawei.android.launcher.permission.READ_SETTINGS`
- `com.huawei.android.launcher.permission.WRITE_SETTINGS`
- `com.majeur.launcher.permission.UPDATE_BADGE`
- `com.oppo.launcher.permission.READ_SETTINGS`
- `com.oppo.launcher.permission.WRITE_SETTINGS`
- `com.sec.android.provider.badge.permission.READ`
- `com.sec.android.provider.badge.permission.WRITE`
- `com.sonyericsson.home.permission.BROADCAST_BADGE`
- `com.sonymobile.home.permission.PROVIDER_INSERT_BADGE`
- `com.sonymobile.launcher.permission.PROVIDER_INSERT_BADGE`

## Review summary

Overall, users praise Google Messages as a simple, reliable, and essential SMS/MMS app. It’s repeatedly described as straightforward and a must-have. However, critics flag missing features like recovering deleted messages and limited customization options, with occasional reports of sluggishness or device compatibility issues. The feedback suggests users want more control (backgrounds, reactions) and data recovery options, while the core experience remains solid.

### Pros

- Easy-to-use, straightforward messaging interface.
- Functional and reliable for everyday SMS/MMS.
- Widely regarded by users as a must-have messaging app.
- Strong positive sentiment and praise (awesome, fantastic, excellent).

### Cons

- No option to recover or retrieve deleted messages (missing deletion recovery feature).

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Source: [Chrome-Stats](https://chrome-stats.com/d/com.google.android.apps.messaging)