Google Messages brings E2EE to group chats, makes RCS the default

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Security updates to make the worrying an afterthought.

Google Messages on Pixel 6 Pro
(Image credit: Nick Sutrich / Android Central)

What you need to know

  • Google has started rolling out end-to-end encryption (E2EE) for group chats after holding the feature in a beta period for nearly a year.
  • RCS is now enabled for users by default unless they have previously disabled it themselves.
  • E2EE brings peace of mind by ensuring users that they're texts are kept between the ones that matter, while RCS offers read receipts and a larger attachment size.

Google is in the process of rolling out an update for Messages that gives a little more peace of mind to users' privacy in personal chats.

The company announced the change in a community update post, which states it has now brought full end-to-end encryption (E2EE) to group chats, further bolstering the privacy and security of the private chats we share with multiple people.

Additionally, the post informs users that RCS, the new messaging standard it has been pushing in recent years, is now enabled by default.

The company adds that users have the option to disable RCS if they prefer, although they would have to re-enable it to enjoy the benefit of more secure messaging with E2EE. Furthermore, Google informs that some users may encounter a Terms of Service pop-up before engaging with Messages. This is something apparently done by certain mobile carriers and is most likely a simple formality when opting into the feature.

Google moving into a world where RCS chats are steadily becoming more ubiquitous brings it closer to some of the best messaging apps for Android. RCS provides read receipts, larger file attachments, typing indicators, native reactions, and much more.

Back in October, Google was spotted in the early development process of bringing E2EE to group chats. This type of encryption ensures users that their conversations remain between them and the other party or multiple parties. It started rolling out in beta in December before more users gained access to the feature in April of this year.

Users may find it comforting to know their group chats are now backed by a stronger layer of protection.

Google has also been busy trying to find ways of making its RCS chats stand out in the app's home screen by adding a new visual indicator for chats that support the feature. The indicator will comply with your device's chosen or default color scheme so users can quickly identify chats with friends or family utilizing the new messaging standard.

While that was spotted in beta in late June, the icon has since rolled out more widely.

Nickolas Diaz
Nickolas Diaz
News Writer

Nickolas is always excited about tech and getting his hands on it. Writing for him can vary from delivering the latest tech story to scribbling in his journal. When Nickolas isn't hitting a story, he's often grinding away at a game or chilling with a book in his hand.

6 Comments Comment from the forums
  • ad47uk
    I don't use Google messages, I use an app called Textra, the network I use don't support it RCS and to be honest I really don't feel it is any advantage to me.

    i also just don't like google messages.
    Reply
  • mustang7757
    I like Google messages, can use just Wi-Fi/better MMS transfers/encrypted messages/show emojis for iPhones/back up to cloud etc..
    Reply
  • rvbfan
    mustang7757 said:
    I like Google messages, can use just Wi-Fi/better MMS transfers/encrypted messages/show emojis for iPhones/back up to cloud etc..
    The e2e encryption doesn't hurt either. Along with the larger file sizes you can send.
    Reply
  • ED the new guy
    rvbfan said:
    The e2e encryption doesn't hurt either. Along with the larger file sizes you can send.
    Having e2e encryption is pointless if noone receives your messages. I've only ever had problems with Google's Messages app and RCS. It requires data and it has a really unreliable SMS/MMS fallback mechanism if the message fails to send. Occasionally I'll turn it on to see if the problems have been fixed. It gets turned off every time because the same flaws that plagued it at launch still plague it.

    Until RCS has an infallible fallback mechanism to SMS and it doesn't use data (the same way MMS doesn't use data on the carrier side and can turn on data to send or receive a message if data is off) it's staying off.

    You're better off using separate apps. Messages for text messages and then WhatsApp or Facebook Messenger for data-based communications.

    Besides you're missing out on nothing since noone uses RCS and the only companies to support RCS are those without robust internet based messaging platforms (like Google or Microsoft... Skype ended up fading away when Microsoft bought them).
    Reply
  • ED the new guy
    ad47uk said:
    I don't use Google messages, I use an app called Textra, the network I use don't support it RCS and to be honest I really don't feel it is any advantage to me.

    i also just don't like google messages.
    There is no advantage to end users.

    Only Google and Microsoft stand to gain from RCS since they're the ones who failed to build successful instant messaging platforms on the internet that people actually want to use.

    It's a solution not for real people problems but for corporation problems.

    RCS has been around for six years or more and it's still stuck in obscurity. My experience with technology that has failed to take off in six years is that it'll never take off.

    Communication now happens via SMS/MMS if it's local. iMessage between iPhone users with unlimited (high cap) data plans. WhatsApp in some markets and between people from different countries, and to a smaller extent, Facebook Messenger.

    There is no need for RCS in there. Few carriers support RCS and even fewer SMS apps support it (Apple certainly doesn't and if it can't run on an iPhone it basically doesn't exist in the wealthy world).
    Reply
  • ad47uk
    ED the new guy said:
    There is no advantage to end users.

    Only Google and Microsoft stand to gain from RCS since they're the ones who failed to build successful instant messaging platforms on the internet that people actually want to use.

    It's a solution not for real people problems but for corporation problems.

    RCS has been around for six years or more and it's still stuck in obscurity. My experience with technology that has failed to take off in six years is that it'll never take off.

    Communication now happens via SMS/MMS if it's local. iMessage between iPhone users with unlimited (high cap) data plans. WhatsApp in some markets and between people from different countries, and to a smaller extent, Facebook Messenger.

    There is no need for RCS in there. Few carriers support RCS and even fewer SMS apps support it (Apple certainly doesn't and if it can't run on an iPhone it basically doesn't exist in the wealthy world).
    My carrier don't support RCS, it is a virtual network, I doubt it ever will support, I know google take over if the carrier doesn't support it, but that means my message going through Googles servers. No, thanks. google wanted Android to compete with Imessage. I can use imessage on my mac, but since I don't have a Iphone, I would have to wait until I use the computer to get any messages, so a waste of time using it, also most people I message use a Android phone, one even use a non-smart phone.
    Reply