Google Messages - Getting Started Guide
Known Issues (March 16, 2024)
- Past history is not fully synced yet
- Read receipts in groups is not supported yet
- Only able to create new group chats in Beeper Desktop and Beeper Android
Setup:
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Pre-requisite:
- If enabled, disconnect your Android (SMS) Connection from Beeper. You can do this in Beeper Desktop → Chat Networks → Android SMS → Delete History.
- On your Android phone, install Google Messages, open Google Messages and make sure it is your default SMS app. You CANNOT set Beeper as your default SMS App.
- In case you haven’t already, you must enable RCS chats in Google Messages app → Your avatar → Messages settings → RCS Chats. Confirm your Status is Connected.
- In the event this option cannot be enabled on your phone, you can still follow this guide, but know that only SMS messages will be working.
- "Automatically resend as SMS/MMS" has to be disabled on Google Messages (native) → Your avatar → RCS chats settings.
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Setup:
- QR Code:
- In Beeper Desktop, select Google Messages on Chat Networks (from the Gear icon menu on the top left of the desktop Beeper app), under Chat Networks > SMS/RCS (Google Messages) and click Continue
- On your Android phone, open Google Messages app, tap the top-left hamburger icon, then ‘Device Pairing’ and scan a QR code that appears in Beeper Desktop. Do not navigate away from this view or click anywhere till the setup is complete, and you will see a confirmation.
- QR Code:
- Google Sign-In:
- Open your Google Messages native app
- Tap over your Google account Avatar on the top right corner
- Select “Device pairing”
- You will be given the option to use the QR code scanner, Switch to Google Account pairing, and your Paired devices.
- Select “Switch to Google Account pairing”
- Now, you can link your Google Messages account and Beeper.
Frequently Asked Questions:
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Can I use Google Sign In for Google Messages to connect to Beeper?
- No, you will have to remove all the devices listed in Google Messages device pairing and switch back to QR code login.
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Does this mean Beeper supports RCS?
- Yes.
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Do I need an Android phone with an Active SIM for Google Messages to work?
- Yes. You cannot configure this connection if you only own an iPhone/iOS Device only.
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Can I keep using the old Beeper Android SMS bridge in combination with this?
- No. This will replace that connection. You must select Google Messages as your default SMS app to use it with Beeper.
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How do I get rid of the old messages that are left over from Android SMS?
- In Beeper Desktop, click the gear icon → Chat Networks → Android SMS → Delete History
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What happens if my phone goes offline?
- Messages will not go through while the phone is unreachable, but all messages will be queued and sent when the phone is online again.
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Will this connection import my existing messages?
- It should backfill 50 messages in 25 most recent chats (and 50 messages in older chats after receiving a message).
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Are typing notifications working?
- Not yet.
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What about read receipts?
- Working in DMs. Not yet on Group Chats.
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Does my PC need to be on in order for RCS to work?
- It does not. However, your Android device does need to be on and have a data connection.
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I can't send or receive reactions
- Are you sure that the chat is RCS? If your chats aren't RCS then this may be the cause.
- Check RCS is enabled → Google Messages → Profile Pic → Message Settings → RCS Chats → Status should be Connected. If it's not, make sure Turn on RCS chats is toggled on.
- If you encounter any problems with this, consult Google. Beeper plays no role on this.
- Check Google Messages and make sure that you do not have enabled the option in Google Messages “Automatically resend as text SMS/MMS” enabled. As this will turn your RCS chats into SMS/MMS chats.
- Check RCS is enabled → Google Messages → Profile Pic → Message Settings → RCS Chats → Status should be Connected. If it's not, make sure Turn on RCS chats is toggled on.
- Are you sure that the chat is RCS? If your chats aren't RCS then this may be the cause.
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Are you a Google Fi user and can't see the option to scan the QR Code on Beeper Desktop?
- On your phone, open the Messages app.
- In the top right, tap More → Settings → Advanced → Google Fi settings.
- Sign in to your Google Fi account.
- Tap Stop sync & sign out.
- If prompted, tap Stop Syncing. This doesn’t delete previous synced texts, call history, and voicemail.
- Make sure to turn on chat features (RCS).
- At this point, you should be able to connect Google Message to Beeper.
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Are you using Google Messages in Beeper and also have an iPhone?
- If you use both an Android device with Google Messages and an iPhone with Beeper iOS installed, you will be able to see, send, and receive Google Messages from Beeper iOS as well, granted that your Android has a SIM and has followed the steps in this guide to get Google Messages configured in Beeper.
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Can I still send regular SMS messages using Google Messages in Beeper?
- Yes. You can send both RCS and SMS messages, depending on whether or not the receiving party can receive either or.
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Can I use Dual SIM with Google Messages?
- Although Beeper does not fully support Dual SIM, you can use both numbers to send and receive messages. The chat will use the number you received the message from to send your replies.
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Can I avoid getting duplicate notifications? (Beeper and Google Messages native app)
- Yes. On your Android device, go to Settings → Notifications > App settings > Messages > Toggle “All Messages notifications” off.
Need Help?
We're here to make sure things go smoothly! Send us a message in your Beeper Help room or at help@beeper.com.