Google Messages may soon get WhatsApp-like multi-device support

Google is reportedly working on a new WhatsApp-like feature for its instant messaging platform Google Messages that is expected to allow users to access messages and RCS chats across multiple devices. For those who are unaware, RCS stands for Rich Communication Services and is basically a messaging system that is considered richer than traditional SMS.

Currently, Google Messages limits message reading, sending, and receiving exclusively to users’ primary phone where the app is installed. However, a workaround exists where users can access Messages for Web through a mobile browser on another device. Now, Google is apparently removing this restriction and might soon allow users to use the Google Messages app itself across multiple devices, reports Android Authority.

Also read: Google Messages gets end-to-end encryption for group messages: Here's how it benefits the end-user

According to strings of code found in Google Messages by feature hunter AssembleDebug, Google will likely use the users’ phone number and Google account to set up Google Messages across multiple devices. Given that RCS chats are associated with the users’ phone number, which Google validates when opt-in for the feature in Google Messages, this seems reasonable.

Also read: Google announces 10 new features for Messages built upon RCS

Users should be able to use Google Messages on additional devices like their backup phone or Android tablet once Google introduces the new multi-device feature without physically switching their primary SIM into those gadgets.

It might work like WhatsApp's multi-device connectivity feature. Users of WhatsApp can sync messages between four devices. How Google will respond to this and whether there will be a restriction on the number of devices from which users can access Google Messages are both unknown, the report said.

Last month, Google reportedly started working to add support for Satellite Connectivity in Google Messages. The information came from X (formerly Twitter) user Neil Rahmouni. “Looks like Google Messages is indeed preparing to add support for Satellite Connectivity. They've added UIs for conversations and SOS messages using satellite connection,” Rahmouni wrote.