Messages For Web
Table of Contents
What are Messages for the Web?
Messages for Web is a service that lets you send and receive SMS, MMS, and RCS messages from your computer. It is a web-based app that works with the Google Messages app on your Android phone.
To use Messages for the Web, you must first install the Google Messages app on your Android phone. Then, open the Messages app and go to Settings > Advanced > Messages for Web. Scan the QR code on the Mails for Web website to connect your phone to your computer.
What features do Messages for the Web have?
Messages for Web has the same features as the Google Messages app on your phone. You can send and collect messages, see your chat history, and use features like typing indicators, read receipts, and emoji reactions.
Do Messages for Web use Wi-Fi?
Yes, Messages for Web uses Wi-Fi or a data connection to connect your computer to your phone. It means you can use Messages for Web even if your phone remains not connected to your computer’s Wi-Fi network.
Are Messages for Web secure?
Yes, Messages for Web is secure. Your messages are encrypted in transit and at rest. Google also does not store your messages on its servers.
How do I get started with Messages for the Web?
To get started with Messages for Web, you need to:
Connect the Google Messages app on your Android phone.
Open the Messages app, go to Settings > Advanced > Messages for Web.
Scan the QR code on the Mails for Web website.
Once you have scanned the QR code, your computer will remain connected to your phone, and you can start using Messages for the Web.
I hope this information is helpful. Please let me know if you have any other questions.
Use Messages for Web with Google Fi
Important:
- Messages only work with Android. Make sure to download the latest version of Messages by Google.
- Messages for the Web can’t receive two-factor authentication text messages. You must use a phone to receive these messages.
With [Messages for Web], you can use your computer to text with your friends. Messages for Web shows what’s on your Messages mobile app.
With Messages for Web with Google Fi, you can also do voice calls and get voicemail messages on your computer.
Choose how you use Messages for Web
To use Google Fi with Messages by Google online, you have 2 options:
Option 1: Send and receive texts only (chat features available with this option)
- You can send and receive texts with chat features, like high-resolution photos.
- [Messages for the Web] send SMS text messages with a connection from your computer to your phone. Once you turn on text on your computer, you still must have your phone to stay connected.
- Carrier fees apply, like on the mobile app.
- To text with Messages for Web, Check your messages on your computer.
Option 2: Text, make calls, and check Voicemail that syncs to your Google Account (chat features not available with this option)
Hangouts no longer support Google Fi. For a similar experience to Hangouts, we recommend you use this option.
- Make calls, check Voicemail, and send texts with your phone or computer. Even when your phone is off, text conversations stay synced across the Messages mobile app and Messages for Web.
- With this option, chat features aren’t available.
- Call history is stored online for 180 days and doesn’t sync with the Google Phone app.
- Text messages and Voicemails are stored online until you delete them. Learn how to delete your texts, call history, and Voicemail.
- On your computer, make sure you use one of these browsers:
- Google Chrome
- Firefox
- Microsoft Edge (Chromium remains required for voice calling)
- Safari
Transfer or sync your conversations
To use this option, chat features must be off. If you already use Messages by Google, you must turn off chat features before you sync your conversations.
- On your phone, open the Messages app.
- In the upper right, tap More More, Settings, Advanced, and Google Fi Settings.
- Sign in to your Google Fi account.
- To begin to sync your conversations, tap Sync Conversations.
- To sync with data, turn off Sync only over Wi-Fi.
- When the Sync is done, at the top, you’ll find “Sync complete.”
- To find your conversations, go to messages.google.com/web.
Tips:
- Sync can take up to 24 hours. During the Sync, you can still text, make calls, and check Voicemail on the Web.
- If you experience any problems with the Sync, like messages out of Sync between your phone and the Web: Tap Settings, Advanced, Google Fi Settings, and Stop Sync & sign out. Then, sign in and resume the Sync.
- If you use [Messages for Web] on a shared or public computer, turn off the Sync when you remain done.
- If you transfer from Hangouts, you back up current conversations from the Messages app to your Google Account.
- If you sync conversations, they’re stored in your Google Account and available from multiple devices.
Stop Sync of texts, calls, and Voicemail.
If you want to stop the backup of your texts, call history, and Voicemail to your Google Account, you can stop Sync. If you used Hangouts for text messages, you can still find your text messages in Gmail.
- On your phone, open the Messages app.
- In the top right, tap More More, Settings, Advanced, and Google Fi settings.
- Sign in to your Google Fi account.
- Tap Stop sync & sign out.
- If prompted, tap Stop Syncing. It doesn’t delete previous synced texts, call history, and Voicemail.
Tip: If you want to use text only with chat features, turn on chat features
Delete texts, call history & Voicemail on the Web
To delete a text:
- Open [Messages for Web].
- On the left, select Messages.
- Next to the text message you want to delete, select More More and then Delete.
Important: If you delete the Messages app from your phone, your texts in [Messages for Web] aren’t deleted.
To delete a call from your call history:
- Open [Messages for Web].
- On the left, select Calls.
- Select the call you want to delete from your history.
- In the top right, select More More, Delete, and then Delete here.
Important: When you delete a call from your call history, the call only deletes from [Messages for Web]. Your call history remains automatically deleted from [Messages for Web] after 6 months.
To delete a voicemail:
- Open [Messages for Web].
- On the left, select Voicemail.
- Select the Voicemail you want to delete.
- In the top right, select Delete and then Delete.
Important: When you delete a voicemail, the Voicemail deletes from your Google Account and all of your devices.
Use Messages for web features.
Make voice calls
Important: International calls with [Messages for the Web] are subject to these rates.
On your computer, open [Messages for Web].
On the left, click Calls and then Make a Call.
To start a call, click contact.
Change your microphone or speakers.
Important: Make sure you have a microphone that works, and you accept mic permissions.
- On your computer, open [Messages for Web].
- Next to your profile photo, click the speaker.
- Choose your microphone, call ring, or call audio device.
Tip: If you use Chrome, learn how to fix problems with your mic.
Check Voicemail on the Web.
- On your computer, open [Messages for Web].
- On the left, click Voicemail.
- To listen or read the transcript, click a voicemail.
Tip: To check your Voicemail, call your Google Fi number while online.
Read transcripts of your Voicemail
Your Voicemail can remain transcribed into these languages:
- English
- Danish
- Dutch
- French
- German
- Portuguese
- Spanish
It may take several minutes for the transcript to show.
Make international calls
Important: International calls with [Messages] for the Web are subject to these rates.
If you are in one of these countries/regions, voice calls may not be available:
- Argentina
- China
- Cuba
- Egypt
- Ghana
- India
- Iran
- Jordan
- Kenya
- Mexico
- Morocco
- Myanmar
- Nigeria
- North Korea
- Peru
- Russian Federation
- Saudi Arabia
- Senegal
- South Korea
- Sudan
- Syria
- Thailand
- United Arab Emirates
- Vietnam
Hide your caller ID
On your computer, go to [Messages for Web].
At the top left, click Menu Menu and then Settings.
To hide your caller ID, turn on Anonymous caller ID.
