9 Google Messages settings I change on every new Android phone - and why

Elyse Betters Picaro / ZDNET

Follow ZDNET: Add us as a preferred source on Google.

ZDNET's key takeaways

• Google Messages has several settings worth checking.
• PSA: Gemini chats in Messages are not end-to-end encrypted.
• Also, small changes can make texting cleaner and less distracting.

Google Messages is one of those apps that seem simple enough, until they aren't. It has settings for RCS chats, read receipts, typing indicators, verification codes, nudity warnings, Gemini, spam filtering, bubbles, and so much more. That's a lot for a texting app.

Also: How to share your location on Android: 5 quick and easy ways

So, when I set up a new Android phone, I always do a quick Google Messages check and adjust a few things before firing off my first messages. My goal is to text whom I want as easily, privately, and securely as I can, with minimal interruptions and data sharing. Why am I using a Google app then? I know. But there are ways to improve Messages and get a much better experience.

1. I turn off Sensitive Content Warnings (and uninstall SafetyCore)

Google's Sensitive Content Warnings feature can detect, blur, and warn about images that may contain nudity. The warnings appear when receiving, sending, or forwarding images in a chat. All detection happens on the device, and no images are sent to Google.

But it's powered by a controversial "Android System SafetyCore" feature that arrived quietly one day last year without Google explicitly warning users what it does. The feature is essentially an underlying system service that apps can use for on-device content detection.

Also: This silent Android feature scans your photos for 'sensitive content'

Google said warnings are off by default for adults, but it's one of the first things I check because I don't want auto-generated alerts in my personal messages. I also uninstall SafetyCore on my Android phone to prevent it from taking similar actions in other apps.

• To check Sensitive Content Warnings, open Google Messages, tap the profile picture or initials, go to "Messages settings," scroll to "Protection and safety," tap "Manage sensitive content warnings," and make sure "Warnings in Google Messages" is off.
• To uninstall SafetyCore, open Settings, tap "Apps," select "See all apps," open the three-dot menu, choose "Show system," search for and find Android System SafetyCore, then tap "Uninstall" and confirm.

Note: Uninstalling SafetyCore may impact some features, including Spam protection (open Google Messages, tap the profile picture or initials, go to "Messages settings," scroll to "Protection and safety," and look for "Spam protection"), which helps detect and warn about scams in chats. I also suspect SafetyCore may help hide the "sensitive" lock-screen previews I mention in tip 8 below.

Elyse Betters Picaro / ZDNET

2. I limit Google profile sharing

Google Messages shares my Google Account profile, including my name and picture, with anyone I'm texting. But Google said its profile sharing feature won't show my email address or phone number, and the setting can be customized to show nothing at all.

Also: 10 Google Maps settings I always change to improve its usability greatly

Open Google Messages, tap the profile photo or initials, then tap "Your profile." On the "Customize how you're seen" screen, change the "Show name and picture" setting to "No one," or choose "Only your contacts" or "People you message," if preferred.

Elyse Betters Picaro / ZDNET

3. I turn off Gemini in Messages

Gemini can help me draft messages right inside the Messages app. The thing is, Google's own help page notes one important detail: chats with Gemini in Google Messages are not end-to-end encrypted (E2EE), even though Messages itself supports E2EE chats. I prefer to keep hackers, ISPs, and even the platforms themselves out of my private conversations.

Also: You can turn off Gemini in Gmail, Photos, Chrome, and more

So, although Gemini can be useful, I'll stick to texting my husband about picking up toilet paper without using AI.

To turn off Gemini, open Google Messages, tap the profile picture or initials, tap "Messages settings," then "Gemini in Messages," and turn off the "Show Gemini" button. If a Gemini chat exists, open that chat, tap the three-dot menu, and delete the conversation.

Elyse Betters Picaro / ZDNET

4. I turn off all suggestions

Google Messages offers different kinds of suggestions. It can suggest chat replies, show sticker reply options, and surface relevant shortcuts to calendars, GIFs, location sharing, and more. The feature can even nudge me to reply in general and give me birthday reminders. Some of this capability may be useful. But it's also overstimulating. I want a simple, clean experience with no noise.

Also: This free Android launcher made my phone and tablet look like Windows 11https://www.zdnet.com/article/how-to-share-location-on-android/

To turn suggestions off, open Google Messages, tap the profile picture or initials, go to "Messages settings," and look for "Suggestions and actions." From there, turn off "Suggestions," "Suggested stickers," "Actions," and "Nudges."

Elyse Betters Picaro / ZDNET

5. I auto-delete one-time codes

Verification codes are useful for about 30 seconds; then they're done. I don't need to keep a searchable database of expired code threads from banks, pharmacies, delivery apps, and random logins. Thankfully, Google Messages has a setting to "auto-delete OTPs" after 24 hours, though availability can vary by device, region, and whether a "Message organization" setting is available.

Also: 14 secret phone codes that unlock hidden features on your Android

Open Google Messages, tap the profile picture or initials, tap "Messages settings," then "Message organization," and turn on "Auto-delete OTPs after 24 hrs." If "Message organization" is missing, I check again after updating Google Messages from the Play Store. If it still is not there, I move on rather than burn an hour hunting for a server-side rollout.

Elyse Betters Picaro / ZDNET

6. I turn on RCS (and turn off read receipts and typing indicators)

I'll admit RCS does make Google Messages feel more like iMessage, with support for higher-quality media, Wi-Fi messaging, read receipts, and typing indicators. Those features are all great, but I personally don't love showing when I've read a message or when I'm mid-reply.

Also: You can delete sent text messages on Android now

To change these settings, open Google Messages, tap the profile picture or initials, tap "Messages settings," then "RCS chats." Turn off "Send read receipts" and "Show typing indicators." I also make sure to leave RCS itself on from this menu.

Elyse Betters Picaro / ZDNET

7. I show voice message transcriptions

Voice messages are convenient, but I'm hard of hearing. If I'm somewhere loud, or even if I don't want to play audio out loud, Google Messages can show voice message transcriptions, so the audio clips appear with readable text underneath. Handy.

Also: Samsung is ending Messages in July: 5 replacements I'd switch to now

To turn this feature on, open Google Messages, tap the profile picture or initials, go to "Messages settings," then "Voice message transcription," and turn on "Show voice message transcriptions." The setting may vary by device and language.

Elyse Betters Picaro / ZDNET

8. I disable previews on the lock screen

This isn't a Google Messages-specific setting. It's more of an Android privacy setting. Text messages can contain sensitive information, and when they suddenly appear on a phone screen, I may not want nearby eyeballs to see what I've received. Android lets me control how notification content appears on the lock screen, including the ability to hide sensitive content.

Also: Android phone slow? I changed 2 settings for an instant boost

Open Settings, tap "Notifications," then "Notifications on lock screen." From there, disable the option to "show sensitive content," or disable the option to "show notification content" on the lock screen entirely. Just know this will affect all apps. Unfortunately, Settings > "Apps" > "Messages" > "Notifications" does not offer an option to disable lock-screen previews only for Messages.

Elyse Betters Picaro / ZDNET

9. Sorry, but I turn off bubbles

Android has these floating chat heads called bubbles, and I get why some people like them. They let conversations pop up over whatever is happening on-screen, so I can reply without fully opening Messages. But I don't like them. It annoys me when they hover over parts of my screen while I'm reading, working, scrolling, or watching something, and I'm constantly swiping them away.

Also: 7+ phone privacy settings to check and turn off ASAP

To turn them off, open Settings, tap "Apps," select "Messages," tap "Notifications," then "Bubbles." Choose "Nothing can bubble."

Elyse Betters Picaro / ZDNET