Google Messages Archives

AppWizard

July 18, 2025

Google may be removing its iconic ‘G’ logo from Messages (APK teardown)

Google is testing a branding update for its Messages app, potentially replacing the “G” logo with the full “Google” wordmark in the app's header. This change aligns with a trend seen in other Google applications like Photos, Calendar, and Drive, which already feature the “Google” branding. The update, revealed through an APK teardown, aims to enhance brand visibility and recognition. The transition to the full wordmark reflects a cohesive branding strategy across Google’s platforms, promising a consistent user experience on various devices. The timeline for this change remains uncertain as it may be part of a broader user interface refresh.

AppWizard

July 17, 2025

Beeper Just Got Smarter with On-Device Messaging and a New Plus Plan

Beeper is a multi-service messaging application that supports various platforms including WhatsApp, Instagram, Messenger, Discord, LinkedIn, Matrix, Slack, Google Chat, X, Telegram, Signal, and Google Messages. The app has introduced on-device messaging, allowing users to connect directly to these services, enhancing speed and security with end-to-end encryption for compatible networks. A new premium tier, Beeper Plus, is available for .99 per month, allowing users to connect up to 10 accounts and offering features such as message scheduling, chat reminders, incognito mode, and AI-powered voice note transcription. The app remains available for free but with limited functionality.

AppWizard

July 14, 2025

The best Android apps available right now

1Weather is a weather app with a clean interface, customizable widgets, and severe weather alerts, available for free with optional in-app purchases. Bitwarden is a free password manager offering unlimited storage and two-factor authentication, with premium options for enhanced features. ChatGPT is an AI service from OpenAI that allows users to perform various tasks, available for free with optional in-app purchases. Focus Go is a simple gallery app that organizes images into folders and offers a fast search and filter system, available for free. Google Drive provides 15GB of free cloud storage and integrates with Google apps for productivity, with optional in-app purchases. Google Keep is a note-taking app that allows users to create and organize notes across devices, available for free. Google Maps and Waze are leading navigation apps, offering features like offline maps and real-time traffic data, both available for free. Google Gemini is an AI tool for managing tasks and accessing information, available for free. Google Voice offers a second phone number for personal and professional use in the US, available for free with optional purchases. Microsoft SwiftKey is a customizable keyboard app with predictive text features, available for free. Mozilla Firefox is a mobile browser with extensive add-on support, available for free. Nova Launcher is a customizable launcher app for Android, available for free with an optional premium version. Pocket Casts is a podcast management app with a user-friendly interface, available for free with optional in-app purchases. Poweramp is an offline music player with extensive features, available for a free trial and optional premium version. Solid Explorer is a file manager app with a clean design and powerful features, available for a free trial and optional premium version. Tasker and IFTTT are automation tools, with Tasker catering to power users and IFTTT offering a more accessible approach, with prices starting at .49. Textra is an SMS app with customizable themes and multi-device messaging sync, available for free with optional Pro unlock. TickTick is a task management app that combines tasks, reminders, and calendar events, available for free with an optional premium plan. YouTube and YouTube Music are content apps providing vast libraries of video and music, available for free with optional premium subscriptions. Zedge offers wallpapers, ringtones, and notification sounds for device customization, available for free with optional premium content. ExpressVPN is a secure VPN service with fast speeds, 256-bit encryption, and servers in 94 countries, offering unlimited bandwidth.

AppWizard

July 7, 2025

Google Messages is about to get a whole lot more animated with this Material 3 Expressive tweak

Google Messages has been redesigned to embrace Material 3 Expressive aesthetics, affecting various aspects of the application. In the beta version v20250701, pill-shaped buttons have replaced circular ones on the contact profile page, improving navigation. The update focuses on four key functions: Call, Video, Contact Info, and Search, aiming to enhance user experience and provide a cohesive visual experience.

AppWizard

July 1, 2025

6 Android phone features that boost productivity

- Android phones, particularly the Google Pixel 6 Pro running on Android 15, offer features that enhance productivity and work-life balance. - The camera can be accessed quickly by double-pressing the power button, and photos can be taken using the Volume Down button. - Bedtime Mode silences the phone, dims the wallpaper, and allows only alarms and essential calls, which can be set up in Settings > Digital Wellbeing and Parental Controls > Bedtime Mode. - Google Messages can be connected to a web browser for easier access to texts and sending messages using a full keyboard by visiting the Google Messages page and following the QR code pairing process. - Important text messages can be pinned to the top of the message list by pressing and holding the conversation and tapping the Pin icon. - App Pin locks the phone screen to a specific app to prevent accidental navigation, which can be enabled in Settings > Security and privacy > More security & privacy > App pinning. - Do Not Disturb can be scheduled for a specific time period by swiping down from the home screen, tapping on Mode, selecting Do Not Disturb, and setting the desired duration.

AppWizard

July 1, 2025

Here’s a first look at the Google Personal Safety app’s Expressive redesign (APK teardown)

Google's Personal Safety app is undergoing visual enhancements in its latest version (2025.06.12.772866699.3-release), aligning with Material 3 Expressive design. Updates include bold headers, white boxes for information fields, redesigned toggles showing an “X” or tick for status, and a new pill-shaped green button for adding contacts. A three-dot button for each contact allows for easier removal and reordering, although removal may be slightly more complex. These design changes are currently exclusive to Android 16 QPR1, which is also updating its Safety and Emergency section.

AppWizard

July 1, 2025

Gemini Live is getting app cards for more helpful, context-aware replies (APK teardown)

Gemini Live will soon incorporate contextual cards to enhance user interactions by providing relevant information from various Google applications. This functionality was discovered through an APK teardown in the latest version of the Google app. With the activation of feature flags in version 16.25.44.sa.arm64, Gemini Live will display cards from applications such as Calendar, Keep, Maps, and Tasks during conversations. For instance, it can provide a Google Maps card when a user asks about a location and show snippets for calendar event changes. The integration aims to improve the conversational flow and verify responses, reducing errors. Additional applications, including Gmail, Google Messages, YouTube, Photos, and third-party platforms like Spotify and WhatsApp, are being explored for future integration, although timelines for these features are uncertain.

AppWizard

June 27, 2025

Your Android phone is getting a big security upgrade for free

Google has introduced various security features for Android users to protect against scams and malware. Key enhancements include: 1. Protection against scam calls with warnings and blocking actions related to disabling Google Play Protect, sideloading apps, and granting accessibility permissions. Screen sharing reminders will be provided on devices running Android 6 or higher. 2. In-call protections for banking apps, alerting users to potential risks when sharing screens with unknown callers, available for participating banks on devices running Android 11 or higher. 3. Improved scam detection in Google Messages, targeting various types of scams, including job scams, cryptocurrency scams, and technical support scams. 4. The Key Verifier tool for verifying contact identities through public encryption keys, ensuring private conversations. 5. Enhanced mobile theft protection with the Identity Check tool expanding to more devices running Android 16, reinforced protections against unauthorized factory resets, and hidden one-time passwords on the lock screen. 6. An Advanced Protection Program for targeted attacks, cryptographically verifying login operations on devices running Android 16. 7. Improvements to Google Play Protect, utilizing new on-device rules for malware detection and providing warnings about potentially malicious apps. 8. Ongoing commitment to enhancing overall Android security with each new version and updates to Google Play services.

AppWizard

June 16, 2025

Android 16 is sprucing up the Pixel Camera app with a slick new look

Google is implementing its Material 3 Expressive design across various applications, with the Pixel Camera set to undergo a transformation. The Settings menu has been updated with warm brown tones, white accents, and rounded controls for a more inviting interface. The new toggle design features a checkmark for the “on” state and an “x” for “off.” The Pixel Camera app will align with other apps like Gmail and Google Messages that have already adopted this design. An official launch date for the updated Pixel Camera has not been announced, but it is expected to coincide with the rollout of Android 16 later this year.

AppWizard

June 10, 2025

Six new Android features just dropped, and you can try them out today

Android 16 introduces several new features, including enhancements to RCS group chats, a redesigned Google Photos editor, and improved functionality in the Google Home app. RCS group chat updates allow users to customize group chats with unique icons and names, check RCS status of friends, and mute notifications for specific groups. The Google Photos app features a new image editor with AI-driven suggestions, a Reimagine feature for creative expression, and an Auto frame function for better image cropping. The Google Home app now includes device-specific shortcuts for easier management of smart devices and an upgraded Safety Check feature for scheduling check-ins. WearOS smartwatches can now tap city transit cards even when the Google Wallet app is closed, provided the feature is activated.