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RCS is now available for texting between Android and iPhones. Learn how to turn on RCS chats on your Android phone (link).

Fix problems sending, receiving or connecting to Google Messages

If you can't send or receive messages, or have trouble connecting to Google Messages for web, try the following suggestions.

Fix problems setting up Google Messages with your Google Account

If you tried to sign in with your Google Account but couldn't pair Google Messages, try these steps:

  1. On your phone, open Google Messages .
  2. At the top right, tap your account menu.
  3. Confirm that you're signed in to Google Messages with your Google Account.
  4. Tap Device pairing.
  5. If you don't find your Google Account profile picture, at the top right, tap Switch to Google Account pairing.
  6. On your computer or tablet, confirm that you're signing in with the same Google Account as you chose in Google Messages on your phone.
  7. To complete the pairing, follow the on-screen instructions.

Fix problems connecting to Google Messages

If you get a notification that your computer can't connect to Google Messages, try these steps:

  • On your phone, turn your Wi-Fi off and back on.
  • Make sure that your phone and computer are connected to the Internet with a strong signal. If you have connection problems, restart your phone.
  • Make sure that your phone has background data turned on for Google Messages. Open your device's settings. Tap Network and Internet and then Data usage and then Mobile data usage. To find Google Messages, scroll down. Tap Google Messages and turn on Background data.
  • If you have VPN, turn it off and try to reconnect.
  • If you're using Chrome, turn off your Chrome extensions one by one. Some extensions could block Google Messages for web. Learn how to turn off Chrome extensions.
  • If battery optimisation is turned on, turn it off. Settings can vary by device. Learn more about Android battery optimisation.
  • Check if you're unpaired from the web page. Learn how to unpair Google Messages for web.
  • If you recently reset or switched to a new phone, unpair Google Messages for web, then follow the steps below to pair your new phone to Google Messages for web.

Reconnect your phone to Google Messages for web using the QR code

On your phone:

  1. Open Google Messages .
  2. At the top right, tap your account menu and then Device pairing.
  3. Tap Switch to QR pairing and then QR code scanner.
  4. Hold your phone up to the QR code on the web page. When it's ready, your phone vibrates.

Try other troubleshooting steps

  • There's not enough space on my device: If you get a notification that Google Messages may not send or receive messages until more space is available, try these tips to free up space.
  • I'm getting unreadable text messages: If you switched from a phone with visual voicemail to one without, and you get unreadable texts from your mobile operator, troubleshoot your voicemail notifications.
  • I've switched from an iPhone to an Android phone: If you're switching from an iPhone to an Android phone, be sure to turn off iMessage.

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