google messages Adopts end-to-end encryption. With this new feature, the application can establish itself as a serious competitor to WhatsApp.

Messages is an SMS and instant messaging application developed for the Android mobile operating system. It is offered by Google since 2014. The pioneer in online research equipped it with the RCS messaging protocol in 2018. In April 2020, it had over one billion downloads. Due to this huge success, Google has started a massive project to strengthen the security of Messages. Last December, it announced its intention to offer the well-known end-to-end encryption method. A feature that has finally been deployed.

Now only conversation participants will be able to read the encrypted content in messages, without the need for special keys.

When messages are changed in WhatsApp

Google’s messaging application was mainly used for the exchange of SMS and MMS. However, in recent years the number of its features has increased significantly. Messages allows communication in text messaging mode with the ability to attach images and other multimedia files. The RCS protocol guarantees the secure exchange of information.

The Mountain View firm has been testing end-to-end encryption since last November. This feature is finally available for Android smartphones. However, its activation is done manually. To do this you have to go to the application settings. The device must also have internet access. There will be a locked lock with protected messages. This icon will appear at the bottom of each message.

Note that end-to-end encryption is not yet available for group chats. ” End-to-end encryption in messages helps keep your conversations secure when sending. This ensures that no one can read the contents of your messages as they flow between your phone and the person you are messaging », explains Google in any case on the presentation page of the new feature.

Other features to come

Google isn’t planning to stop rolling out end-to-end encryption for its messaging app. The number one search engine will be rolling out other features. According to multiple sources, its developers are working on an option to pin the conversation. Therefore the pinned messages will continue to be displayed at the top of the page. This will allow the user to easily find their favorite conversations.

The other feature that is said to be in development is the ability to tag messages. When the user wants, he can easily find the important message without looking at the whole thread of the conversation. It should be noted that these clues may have been spotted by the inquisitor in the code for version 8.1.50 of Google Messages.