There’s nothing more satisfying than pulling off the plastic, logging in, and seeing the pristine home screen. A new Android setup always hits different.
Some people obsess over wallpaper or camera modes first. I head straight for Google Messages as it’s the app I use the most.
I follow the same checklist on every new phone. Those settings fix everything from media quality to the overall UI. Here’s the playbook.
The essential RCS fixes every Android user should turn on
If you change one thing, start here. RCS is the backbone of Google Messages.
It’s what turns old-school SMS into something closer to a modern messaging app, complete with typing bubbles, read receipts, and better photo and video quality.
Activate auto-resend as SMS
RCS is great, until it isn’t. RCS runs over data, which means it needs Wi-Fi or mobile service.
If you’re stuck in a dead zone, your message can get stuck in limbo. To avoid that:
- Open Google Messages.
- Tap your profile photo in the upper-right corner.
- Select Messages settings.
- Tap RCS chats.
- Turn on Automatically resend as text (SMS/MMS).
Be careful with media fallback. If you send a photo or video while SMS fallback is active, Google might upload it to a temporary public server and send a link instead.
Keep this in mind for anything sensitive.
Make iPhone reactions show as proper emojis
If most of your friends use iPhones and switching isn’t happening, this is for you.
Reactions from iPhones can show up on Android as individual text messages. To fix this:
- Open Google Messages.
- Go to Settings.
- Tap Advanced.
- Turn on Show iPhone reactions as emojis.
Google Messages uses its own internal logic to intercept Apple-specific strings and translate them into a proper emoji reaction for you.
Keep your inbox free of spam and OTP codes
Check your inbox, and you’ll see most messages aren’t personal. Packages, bank notices, and two-factor codes crowd out the chats that actually matter.
This is how I keep my inbox under control.
Automatically delete OTPs after 24 hours
One-time passwords and 2FA codes only help you log in for a moment. After that, they pile up and get in the way.
- Open Google Messages.
- Go to Settings.
- Tap Message organization.
- Turn on Auto-delete OTPs after 24 hours.
After it’s on, Google Messages automatically deletes verification texts after 24 hours.
Pin work, family, and friends to the top of Google Messages
Even with everything organized, a sudden flood of messages from a group or spambot can push your important threads out of view.
- Open Google Messages.
- Long press the threads for your wife, parents, and immediate work team.
- Tap the Pin icon.
This locks those conversations to the top of your inbox, keeping them visible no matter how many shipping alerts or random texts come in.
You can now pin up to 20 chats in Google Messages. That’s probably overkill for most of us, but having your top five always visible makes life a lot easier.
Color-code your chats to keep work and family separate
You can give each conversation its own color. I use it practically. Red for work chats, green for family threads.
- Open the chat you want to theme.
- Tap the three-dot menu in the upper-right corner.
- Select Change colors.
- Pick the color or theme you want for that conversation.
Tame the AI in Google Messages
Google has been pushing AI into almost everything lately. Some of it is genuinely useful, but other parts just get in the way.
How to remove the Gemini AI button from Google Messages
There’s a Gemini AI button sitting above the Start chat icon. If you’re not interested in talking to a bot, it’s unnecessary UI clutter.
- Open Google Messages.
- Go to Settings.
- Tap Gemini.
- Toggle off Show Gemini button.
Activate voice message transcription for faster replies
Voice message transcription is one AI feature I actually rely on. With friends sending long voice notes, turning it on makes life easier.
- Open Google Messages.
- Go to Settings.
- Turn on Voice message transcription.
On newer phones like the recent Pixel devices, transcription happens on-device, so it’s fast and private.
Now, when a voice note arrives, Google automatically shows the text right below it.
You can quickly skim the text, get the gist, and reply. It’s a win for accessibility and perfect for anyone who hates listening to their messages.
Set up Google Messages the right way from day one
Before sending your first message on a new Android, open the settings. Turn on the transcription feature, stop compression, remove OTPs, and set the app up the way you want.
Spending just five minutes in these menus can turn Google Messages into a lean, mean communication machine.
