Google Messages just flipped the switch on self-RCS messaging – Android Police

Some of the most popular messaging apps allow users to send messages to themselves, serving as a convenient and readily accessible notepad for users if they don’t want to use dedicated note-taking apps like Google Keep. WhatsApp, for reference, unlocked self messaging for users in 2022, allowing users to send end-to-end encrypted messages to their own number with WhatsApp’s complete suite of functionality, including images, videos, locations, voice notes, stickers, and more. The option is rolling out right now, no more workarounds neededGoogle Messages has self-messaging too, but the functionality has long-been limited to SMS. Within the last month, however, Google silently flipped the switch to self-RCS messaging, allowing you to send high-res images, videos, GIFs, and more with no character limit, all over Wi-Fi and cellular. The upgrade was first highlighted by user seeareeff on Reddit (via Android Authority), and we’re seeing it live on a Pixel 9 running the app’s messages.android_20250210_01_RC00.phone.openbeta_dynamic beta, as seen in the screenshots below. Although the functionality seems to have gone live with the recent beta, users on Reddit suggest that they’ve had self-RCS messaging for over a week now, so it’s unclear when exactly Google flipped the switch.It’s worth noting that self-RCS messaging on Google Messages is not end-to-end encrypted, at least for now. Dual-SIM users, however, can cross-SIM self-RCS message, and those will be end-to-end encrypted. Although not as thorough as dedicated note-taking apps like Evernote, Google Keep, OneNote, and more, having an option as seamless as Google Message to jot down quick thoughts, complete improvements that come with RCS chat, is a welcome addition. Although only available in beta for now, the functionality should soon land on the stable Google Messages channel.Sure, I use Google Messages for its RCS support, more often than not using the service for with friends and family that can’t be convinced to switch to an internet messaging service. My true love is Telegram, not only for its incredible speed delivering messages but also because it offers a desktop app, which I find key in my day-to-day working from home on my desktop computer. Sure, Google offers a web app that can be used on a desktop, but I don’t like it, where Telegram’s is plenty serviceable and runs on Linux.

But what about you? Which is your favorite messaging service to use on your phone, and why?We want to hear from you! Share your opinions in the thread below and remember to keep it respectful.Your comment has not been savedself messaging? what is this a new level of boredom? It’s actually pretty useful. I’ve been using self-text as a reminder tool for a while now. With the option to schedule texts, you can schedule yourself notifications. I find it easier to have a text reminder. I usually don’t miss texts. But the reminders built into Pixel I miss sometimes. Right? If this article didn’t exist then I probably would’ve never even know it was or wasn’t a thing to begin with.Doesn’t work for me at all. I’ve wanted to try using the self messaging feature, but other than texting yourself and getting double messages, how do you use it?I don’t get double messages anymore, the last text I sent to myself that was doubled was in NOV 2022. My next text to myself that I saved was Feb 2023. I use it when I want a quick note and not use Keep, I am on a call and get an incident number but no pen to write anything down. I will schedule texts to remind me to do something, though I use my clock app to do that mostly now. I often find a reason to text myself to capture somethingThis has been the worst implementation I’ve ever seen in my 25 years of programming. Unless you and everyone in your contact list has compatibility with RCS many of the texts are either never received or received days later. Google has been so inefficient in beta testing this product and then has bought out other messenger app competitors it has left us with nothing else to use. I’ve wirjed with my cellphone provider for hours to try and figure a way around the problem to no avail. They tell me that there are many bugs that will take a very long time to resolve. Curious if this will work on Google Fi if you’re using the Sync feature (More useful for me) instead of RCS?A much, much better option:Now the information is saved, tagged, organized, and instantly retrievable and manageable from within Keep Notes. Just say ‘No’ to information chaos.But that’s exactly the thing. When jotting down quick notes for themselves, plenty of people don’t WANT to “add a useful title, etc.” to have their information “tagged, organized, and instantly retrievable”. Not when they can text themselves “doctor 2pm Friday” in Messages — just those 17 characters, nothing else — and not only is the info stored, but the app will offer to put it on their calendar as well. Where’s the advantage to any organization beyond that, for such an ephemeral note?Or, to put it another way, not everyone organizes their life the same way. There are no absolute wrong or right approaches.I just hope this doesn’t lead to trickery. I occasionally get those emails that use the email they are sending to as the from so that it shows the holders name. I can only hope there is someway to set up your own key so if you start getting non you spam that it will give you an extra security before it auto adds something to your list thinking its you.RCS messages from off-device DO have to be end-to-end encrypted to be delivered. Spoofing a message as being from the receiver should be virtually impossible in those situations. It’s possible in email because RFC 822 was written in 1982 and has zero built-in security, authentication, or validation.I noticed I had it a couple days ago, I am not on a beta. Having RCS will be nice but I wasn’t really needing it.That’s great… Maybe one of you journalists should ask one of the many people you probably have contact with when they’re gonna quit adding features that are totally superfluous instead of making their own RCS work with THEIR CELL SERVICE! All of we Google Fi users would really appreciate someone kicking their butts into gear.What a stupid waste of time and resources. Meanwhile, the removed the sim icon from the text area to make it more difficult to switch between sims…. SMFHYet more ‘improvements’ literally nobody asked for from the morons at Google there are a million note taking apps, that actually do a good job.Uninstall apps that are glorified websites and don’t be afraid to use actually useful apps instead of shoving everything into messages.Honestly, wild take, you’d be better off using a note taking app to do both your notes AND draft your text messages so you don’t accidentally send embarrassing stuff before you’re done and have looked it over.Open source options without nagging ads and stuff: Simple:QuillpadStandard notesOutliners for connecting notes with hashtags and stuff. LogseqOrgzly RevivedObsidian (not open source but source is basically available, and no BS)Joplin with pluginsIn the rare times I need to do this, I just send it to my wife and tell her not to pay attention to it lol. Same with my brother or a friend before I met my wife.Share large photos without compressionGoogle may question about your spamEnlarge a contact profile photo with a tapMessaging Layer Security (MLS) is on its wayMLS functionality spotted in betaFinally, one messaging app to rule them all

Source: https://www.androidpolice.com/google-messages-rcs-self-message/