I’ve been utilizing Google Messages for years, and for many of that point, I handled it like a fundamental texting app. I by no means actually explored the settings or paid consideration to the additional options.
Lately, I began noticing small options I’d both ignored or by no means correctly tried. However after I began utilizing them, they modified how I work together with messages daily.
Now, I discover myself counting on them on a regular basis, and it’s made me understand I wasn’t actually utilizing Google Messages to its full potential earlier than.
I can bounce straight to Calendar or Maps from a message
One characteristic I didn’t anticipate to make use of as a lot is how Google Messages routinely turns sure textual content into shortcuts.
If somebody sends a date, time, and even one thing like “tomorrow at 6,” it reveals up as a tappable choice. Faucet it, and it opens straight in Google Calendar, the place you possibly can rapidly create an occasion.
The identical factor works for places. If a message contains an handle or place title, you possibly can faucet it and open it straight in Google Maps.
Beforehand, I’d learn a message, keep in mind the main points, change to a different app, and retype all the things.
Now, I faucet as soon as, and it routinely opens Maps or Calendar. It’s particularly helpful when somebody shares plans or a gathering location.
Pinch to zoom made lengthy messages simpler to learn
It’s a type of options I didn’t even understand existed in Google Messages till I by accident triggered it.
For those who’re studying an extended message, you possibly can pinch to zoom on the display identical to you’ll on a photograph. The textual content will increase in measurement immediately, making it a lot simpler to learn with out having to open system settings or change the font measurement for all the things.
Earlier than discovering this characteristic, if one thing felt arduous to learn, my solely choice was to extend the system font measurement, which impacts the complete cellphone. Now, I can modify readability on the fly.
Photomoji made my chats really feel extra private
One other characteristic I neglected was Photomoji. At a look, it seemed like simply one other sticker characteristic.
I’ve by no means actually been into sticker packs, so I ignored it. However Photomoji works otherwise. It enables you to flip your personal images into reactions or stickers.
I attempted it with a number of random photos, principally out of curiosity. Nevertheless it turned one thing I exploit recurrently in informal chats.
As a substitute of reacting with a generic emoji, I can flip one in all my very own images right into a sticker. For instance, I’ve used images of my cats to create fast reactions.
It makes replies really feel a bit extra private, and it’s extra enjoyable than utilizing generic stickers that everybody else has.
While you’re in a dialog, faucet the plus icon and choose Stickers. Faucet Photomoji and choose Create. You should utilize the photomoji as a response by urgent a message and choosing it from the emoji menu.
I don’t need to pay attention to each voice observe anymore
Voice messages are handy, however they’re not at all times sensible to take heed to. There are many instances once I’m in a quiet place, in the course of one thing, or don’t wish to play audio out loud.
That’s the place voice message transcription in Google Messages made an enormous distinction.
As a substitute of tapping play, I can simply learn what the message says. The app converts supported voice notes into textual content, permitting me to scan via them like every common message.
It’s helpful for longer voice notes the place I’d in any other case have to clean via audio to seek out the related particulars.
It’s additionally quicker. Studying a brief transcript takes a number of seconds, in comparison with listening to the complete message.
If it’s not already turned on, you possibly can allow it by choosing your profile icon and tapping Messages settings > Voice message transcription.
Starred messages assist me hold monitor of essential issues
I used to lose monitor of helpful messages on a regular basis in Google Messages.
Somebody would ship an handle, a reminder, or a bit of data I wanted later, and I’d find yourself scrolling endlessly looking for it once more.
Starred messages mounted that. Now, each time I come throughout one thing essential, I long-press the message and faucet the star icon.
The messages are saved, permitting me to entry them from the chat by tapping the three-dot menu icon and choosing Starred.
Google Messages is healthier than ever, however it nonetheless leaves me annoyed
Google Messages nonetheless leaves loads to be desired
These Google Messages options made texting a lot simpler than I anticipated
After I began exploring extra options in Google Messages, on a regular basis duties took fewer steps, and I spent much less time leaping between apps.
Utilizing options like Photomoji, sensible hyperlinks for dates and places, pinch-to-zoom, voice transcription, and starred messages has made my conversations simpler to handle.