Google Messages comes with some really incredible features, with RCS support being its biggest advantage over any other messaging app. However, customization is one area where the app lags behind some competitors, like Samsung Messages. A recent finding suggests that Google could soon introduce new customization options to its messaging app.
All the customization that Google Messages currently offers
Google Messages currently offers limited customization options. Specifically, there's just one "Change Color" option that appears when you tap the three-dots icon in the top-right corner of a chat. You can then choose your chat's background color, which will also change the chat bubble's color to match.
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In addition to this, you can switch between dark and light themes. Samsung Messages, on the other hand, gives you plenty of different ways to give the chat a personal touch. I recently covered a story specifically on this topic, where my main point was that the Samsung messaging app is notably better than Google's when it comes to the number of customization options you have.
In addition to everything Google Messages offers, you can also set an image from your gallery as the chat background. Furthermore, you can adjust the text contrast and even the opacity of the chat bubbles.
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Because of all these reasons, Google Messages might feel bland and boring to most Samsung Messages users, who now have no option but to switch. For reference, the South Korean giant recently announced that its messaging app will stop working in July, and Google Messages will become the default SMS app on its smartphones.
Google is finally listening to users demand
Google Messages app settings window. | Image by PhoneArena
A new report indicates that the tech giant is finally going to add some cool customization upgrades to its messaging app. In the latest beta build of the app, many strings related to the upcoming customization options have reportedly been spotted.
There are mentions of words like "Upload photo," "Your photo," and "Custom." All these things hint that the app could soon let you choose custom backgrounds for different chats. References related to bubble colors have also been spotted, which gives a strong indication that you will be able to manually customize the color of the chat bubbles.
You could also reportedly be able to mix and match elements instead of going with preset themes. I really hope that Google gives the option to use Gemini to design a custom background theme for chats.
Other features Google Messages needs to adopt from Samsung Messages
Along with the lack of customization options, there are two other areas in which I think Google Messages is slightly behind Samsung Messages. The first is the categorization capability.
In Samsung Messages, I can categorize messages into different built-in categories, which makes it easy for me to locate them later. Unfortunately, no such feature is available in Google Messages.
The second upgrade, or it could be better to say a downgrade, Google Messages should do is to get rid of Gemini. I really can't understand what the need is for an AI companion in an SMS app. If I really need the help of AI to draft a message, I would simply open the Gemini app, which comes pre-installed on most modern smartphones.
Do you really care about customization features in a messaging app like Google Messages?
Make Google Messages the best app in its genre
Considering the number of upgrades Google Messages has been receiving recently, it seems to be one app that the tech giant is prioritizing heavily lately. Now that all Samsung Messages app users will eventually switch to it, I think the company will look forward to appeasing them by introducing capabilities that were previously exclusive to Samsung Messages.
It's not that Google is adapting a Samsung messaging app feature for the first time. It recently received a completely new trash folder that was previously exclusive to Samsung Messages.
All that said, it's worth noting that the above-mentioned change has been spotted in the beta build. Furthermore, there's no official confirmation from Google on it yet. Therefore, there is no certainty when or even if the customization upgrade will land on Google Messages.
Aman Kumar is a tech news writer with a long-standing passion for smartphones. Aman specializes in everything smartphones, from AI features like Pixel’s Camera Coach to understanding ideal hardware combinations. He loves breaking down complex features in a simple, clear way and hopes manufacturers bring back bold designs like the Nokia N-Gage. When he’s not writing, he’s either gaming on PUBG or talking fitness as a dedicated gym enthusiast.
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