After a fair testing period, Google is finally rolling out the end-to-end encryption support for everyone in its Messages app. This is a part of the RCS protocol aimed at secure communication.
To make this feature work, users need to enable an internet connection while sending messages. So they will be encrypted and available to see only to the recipient.
End-to-end Encryption in Google Messages
Google Messages is one of the few default apps in every Android handset and serves basic communication functions. While the app started with just SMS and MMS support, it now expanded to include the text and photos, stickers, GIFs, and videos in the conversation.
All thanks to the new RCS protocol, which is now empowering Messages with new features. The latest that Google brought in is the end-to-end encryption support, which will only let the end participants see the messages conversed between them.
Since last November in the Beta channel, Google has been trailing with this feature and now rolling out to everyone in the stable version. A thing to note, the device needs an active internet connection when sending a message that’s end-to-end encrypted for the sake of encryption.
This forms a secure tunnel between the participants. Messages being encrypted and sent are set with a padlock and dark blue in the chat. Apart from this, Google Messages will also support group chats too.
Further, the Messages app divides the chats as per nature for easier access – like Transactions, OTPs, Personal, and Offers.
Also, reverse engineers digging the Messages app (v8.1.050) found more features like chat pinning and marking individual messages. Users can pin upto 3 chats at the top and mark specific messages in the chats to identify them easily. All these could be seen soon if rolled out.
