Google is testing iPhone users’ liking of text messages

Google is testing a way for users to like text messages from an iPhone in Google Messages. The feature is available to a small group of Google Messages beta users.

Like texting

Google is working on a system that will allow Android users of the Google Messages app to like messages sent by iPhone users. They will then see an SMS in which the chosen emoji is described with text, followed by the original text message that has been liked. It was a Reddit user who noticed this novelty.

Obviously, emojis described by text are not the best user experience. It seems that Google hopes that iPhone users will be annoyed by these text messages and will report the problem to Apple. In this way, Google can increase the pressure for Apple to make its iMessage messaging service compatible with the RCS standard.

RCS and iMessage

RCS is seen as the successor to SMS because it enables more advanced chat features for SMS messages, including emoji responses. RCS works with a lot of messaging apps on Android, but it’s not yet compatible with iOS, and if it’s up to Apple, that’s not going to change. Much to the frustration of Google.

Earlier conversations from Apple employees have leaked that Apple is purposely turning iMessage into a closed ecosystem, so the app serves as another reason for consumers to choose an iPhone. Earlier this year, Google already rolled out a method whereby emoji reactions that users give in iMessage can also be automatically seen in Google Messages.

Availability

The new emoji responses for text messages are currently available to some users of Google Messages beta v20220916_00_RC0, and we couldn’t see it here in the editors. Also in the Reddit thread, several beta users report that the feature does not yet work on their phones. Can you already like text messages in Google Messages? Please contact the editors via this route and share your screenshot. Also let us know in the comments.

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