I’ve been using Google Messages for years, and for most of that time, I treated it like a basic texting app. I never really explored the settings or paid attention to the extra features.
Recently, I started noticing small features I’d either ignored or never properly tried. But after I started using them, they changed how I interact with messages every day.
Now, I find myself relying on them all the time, and it’s made me realize I wasn’t really using Google Messages to its full potential before.
I can jump straight to Calendar or Maps from a message
One feature I didn’t expect to use as much is how Google Messages automatically turns certain text into shortcuts.
If someone sends a date, time, or even something like “tomorrow at 6,” it shows up as a tappable option. Tap it, and it opens directly in Google Calendar, where you can quickly create an event.
The same thing works for locations. If a message includes an address or place name, you can tap it and open it straight in Google Maps.
Previously, I would read a message, remember the details, switch to another app, and retype everything.
Now, I tap once, and it automatically opens Maps or Calendar. It’s especially useful when someone shares plans or a meeting location.
Pinch to zoom made long messages easier to read
It is one of those features I didn’t even realize existed in Google Messages until I accidentally triggered it.
If you’re reading a long message, you can pinch to zoom on the screen just like you would on a photo. The text increases in size instantly, making it much easier to read without having to open system settings or change the font size for everything.
Before discovering this feature, if something felt hard to read, my only option was to increase the system font size, which affects the entire phone. Now, I can adjust readability on the fly.
Photomoji made my chats feel more personal
Another feature I overlooked was Photomoji. At a glance, it sounded like just another sticker feature.
I’ve never really been into sticker packs, so I ignored it. But Photomoji works differently. It lets you turn your own photos into reactions or stickers.
I tried it with a few random pictures, mostly out of curiosity. But it became something I use regularly in casual chats.
Instead of reacting with a generic emoji, I can turn one of my own photos into a sticker. For example, I’ve used photos of my cats to create quick reactions.
It makes replies feel a bit more personal, and it’s more fun than using generic stickers that everyone else has.
When you’re in a conversation, tap the plus icon and select Stickers. Tap Photomoji and select Create. You can use the photomoji as a reaction by pressing a message and selecting it from the emoji menu.
I don’t have to listen to every voice note anymore
Voice messages are convenient, but they’re not always practical to listen to. There are plenty of times when I’m in a quiet place, in the middle of something, or don’t want to play audio out loud.
That’s where voice message transcription in Google Messages made a big difference.
Instead of tapping play, I can just read what the message says. The app converts supported voice notes into text, allowing me to scan through them like any regular message.
It’s useful for longer voice notes where I’d otherwise have to scrub through audio to find the relevant details.
It’s also faster. Reading a short transcript takes a few seconds, compared to listening to the entire message.
If it’s not already turned on, you can enable it by selecting your profile icon and tapping Messages settings > Voice message transcription.
Starred messages help me keep track of important things
I used to lose track of useful messages all the time in Google Messages.
Someone would send an address, a reminder, or a piece of information I needed later, and I’d end up scrolling endlessly trying to find it again.
Starred messages fixed that. Now, whenever I come across something important, I long-press the message and tap the star icon.
The messages are saved, allowing me to access them from the chat by tapping the three-dot menu icon and selecting Starred.
Google Messages is better than ever, but it still leaves me frustrated
Google Messages still leaves a lot to be desired
These Google Messages features made texting much easier than I expected
After I started exploring more features in Google Messages, everyday tasks took fewer steps, and I spent less time jumping between apps.
Using features like Photomoji, smart links for dates and locations, pinch-to-zoom, voice transcription, and starred messages has made my conversations easier to manage.
