7 features Google Messages should steal from Apple’s iMessage

While both Google Messages and Apple iMessage are unique in their own ways, I feel that Apple iMessage has a slight edge over Google Messages when it comes to the features they both offer. If Google Messages wants to lead the messaging app race, it needs to steal these seven features from Apple’s iMessage.

7

Edit Non-RCS Chat Messages

Not everyone has access to RCS chats. There are still many users who use keypad phones or deliberately disable RCS chats on their devices for various reasons.

Unfortunately, Google Messages doesn’t give you the option to edit messages sent to non-RCS chat users. Apple’s iMessage, on the other hand, allows you to edit messages regardless of whether the receiver is using RCS or not.

Unlike RCS chats, where you have an edit option when you press and hold a message, the option is missing when you do the same in a non-RCS chat. It would be really helpful if Google Messages introduced this feature so that you could correct typos or edit messages sent by mistake in non-RCS chats.

Apple’s iMessage also allows you to unsend messages within two minutes of sending them. Unfortunately, the Google Messages app doesn’t offer this option.

6

Cross-Sync Ability

Apple ecosystem—that’s the phrase you’ll often hear from Apple fanboys when asked why they prefer Apple devices over other options. Even though I’m not an Apple fan, I strongly agree that the Apple ecosystem is the main reason behind the popularity of Apple products.

The iMessage app is part of the Apple ecosystem, meaning you can use it seamlessly across devices. For instance, if you are chatting with a friend through iMessage on your iPhone, you can put your phone aside and continue the conversation on your iPad or Mac—all you need is to be signed in with the same Apple ID on those devices.

The seamless integration of iMessage across Apple devices gives the impression that you’re using an instant messaging app like Facebook or WhatsApp rather than a traditional text messaging app. Although the Google Messages app offers a syncing feature, it’s not as smooth or reliable as iMessage.

The main issue I find with Google Messages is that syncing between devices doesn’t work if your primary device, which contains the SIM, has no data connection or is powered off. Furthermore, unlike iMessage, which allows you to use the app on both your iPhone and iPad simultaneously, Google Messages can only be used on one Android device—either a smartphone or a tablet—at a time. If you want to access your Google Messages account on two devices simultaneously, you can use it on your Android smartphone or tablet and on Google Messages for the web.

5

Better Audio Message Experience

I am really impressed with the audio message experience that Apple iMessage offers. Both apps allow you to move forward or backward within the audio clip by sliding your finger along the timeline. They also display a transcript of the recording in case you prefer reading it instead of listening. However, there are a couple of areas where iMessage is better than Google Messages when it comes to handling audio messages.

First, iMessage allows you to adjust the playback speed by up to 2x, a feature available in many instant messaging apps like WhatsApp. You can also configure iMessage to automatically delete audio recordings after 2 minutes—a feature that can be especially helpful if you’re sharing something private in an audio message that you don’t want anyone else to hear.

I really hope Google Messages adopts these features, as they would ultimately make the messaging experience better.

4

Plenty Of Sharing Options

When you tap the plus icon that appears in the text field of Google Messages, you get all the attachments you can send through the app. This includes things like your location, stickers, GIFs, and more. While Google Messages covers all the basic attachments, iMessage offers many other attachments as well that you can send through text messages.

Tap the plus icon in the message text field in iMessage, and you’ll see a variety of additional attachments you can send via text. These include options like Zoom meeting invitations, music, and more. I really hope Google introduces similar attachment options in the Google Messages app as well.

3

Add Effects to Stickers

Both iMessage and the Google Messages app allow you to create custom stickers. You simply need to select an image from your gallery, and both apps will automatically cut out a sticker of the main subject in that image. You can then use that sticker anywhere you want.

However, iMessage offers one extra feature in sticker creation that I wish Google Messages would adopt as well. When you create a sticker in the iMessage app, you get an additional option to add effects to that sticker. You can choose from effects like comic, outline, shiny, and more. These extra effects make the stickers stand out among those you use across different apps.

2

Different Text Animations

Apple iMessage allows you to send text messages with various animations. Type a message in the text field, then tap and hold the send icon. A “Send With Effect” window will appear with two tabs—Bubble and Screen.

The Bubble tab is my favorite. It contains different effects that I can use to send text messages. Switch to the Screen tab, and you’ll see full-screen animations that you can attach to a particular message. Unfortunately, none of these options are available in Google Messages. Any similar addition to the Google messaging app would be a welcome change.

1

Built-in Apps

The iMessage app is not only used for sending and receiving text messages, but it also supports various other apps that make your conversations more engaging. Among the many apps iMessage supports, I particularly like GamePigeon and Bunch, which let you play different games with your friends.

Once you have installed GamePigeon or the Bunch app on your iPhone, tap the plus icon next to the text message field, and you will see the option to select these apps. Choose the game you want to play with your friend, and the invite will be sent via text message. You will now be playing that particular game as a multiplayer session with your friend in iMessage.

I really hope Google introduces a similar experience in the Messages app as well. This would ultimately help make the messaging experience even better, especially in group chats where all participants can play these games to pass their free time.

These are some of the features I would like Google Messages to adopt from Apple’s iMessage. It’s not that I completely dislike Google Messages. There are plenty of Google Messages features I appreciate, such as its built-in spam detector, the ability to blur inappropriate photos, and the option to automatically delete OTPs. The point is, by adding the features mentioned above, Google Messages could become one of the best text messaging apps.