What Are Android Messages and How Do I Use Them?

How Can Android Messages Be Used?

How to Install the Android Messages App

1. Access the Google Play Store app on your Android smartphone by tapping the Play Store app icon, which looks like a multi-colored play button.

2. At the top of the following screen, use the white search box to search for "android messages".

3. The very first (and most prominent) search result should be Google's Android Messages app. It will be listed as "Messages" and have a blue, circle-shaped app icon with a lined message bubble icon in the center.

   

4. Tap the green and white Install button.

5. On the following screen, tap the green and white Accept button.

6. Once the download and installation is complete, tap the green and white Open button to access the app.

How to Start a Conversation in Android Messages

1. Launch the Android Messages app from your phone's apps menu.

2. On the next screen, you'll be prompted to make Android Messages your phone's default messaging app. You'll need to do this to send messages. Tap Yes.

3. You may not be able to send messages right away. Depending on your device, you may need to restart your phone to ensure the changes took place. After restarting, you should be able to send messages.

4. After making Android Messages your default messaging app, the following screen should be your inbox of text messages. Android Message will automatically sync your phone's saved text conversations.

5. Within your inbox, tap the blue and white Start chat button at the bottom right corner of the screen to start a conversation.

6. On the next screen, in the field marked To, type the phone number, email, or name of the person you want to contact.

7. Tap the Enter key on your phone's keyboard to open a conversation.

8. Write your message in the text field at the bottom of the screen.

   

9. Tap the blue and white triangle in the text field to send your message.

How to Add a New Contact in Android Messages

1. Within your inbox, select a conversation with the contact you want to add.

2. Within the conversation, tap the three dots icon in the upper right corner of the screen.

3. Tap Add contact.

4. In the dialog box that pops up, tap Add Contact.

5. The Android Messages app will take you to your phone's native contacts or phone app. You can add your contact as you normally would here.

How to Block Text Messages on Android Messages

1. Within your inbox, select a conversation with the contact you want to block.

2. Within the conversation, tap the three dots icon in the upper right corner of the screen.

3. Select Details.

4. From the list of options, tap Block and report spam.

5. A dialog box will pop up asking for confirmation for the block. It also offers the option to report the contact to Google for sending spam. If you want to do so, keep this option checked. If not, uncheck the checkbox next to Report spam.

6. Select OK.