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Google Messages lacks text formatting, inbox folders, and payment integration compared to iMessage, despite RCS adoption and Samsung's switch to the app.
Google Messages has become the default RCS client on most Android flagships and replaced Samsung's proprietary app, yet it still lacks basic text formatting and inbox organization features found in rival iMessage [2]. These omissions persist even as Google positions the app as its primary messaging platform, leaving users to manage cluttered inboxes and manual workarounds for tasks like partial text copying [1][2].
| At a glance | |
|---|---|
| Platform | Google Messages |
| Status | Default on most Android flagships [2] |
| Competitor | iOS 27 (beta) [2] |
| Missing | Text formatting, folders, payments [1][2] |
Despite RCS support and cross-device syncing, Google Messages does not support inline text formatting like bold or italics, a standard feature in iOS 27 and other Android apps [1][2]. Users also lack tools to organize inboxes with folders or categories for OTPs and banking alerts, forcing personal chats to compete with service messages in a single view [1]. Additionally, the interface retains a prominent voice recording button that cannot be hidden, a nuisance for users who rarely send audio notes [2].
| Feature | Google Messages | iMessage (iOS 27) |
|---|---|---|
| Text Formatting | No | Yes [2] |
| Inbox Folders | No | Yes [1] |
| Hide Recording Button | No | Yes [2] |
| Partial Copy | Rolling out | Yes [2] |
The app also lags in workflow integration, lacking native peer-to-peer payments and disappearing message options for privacy, requiring users to switch apps for financial transactions or manual deletion [1]. While Google Messages offers a web client, it currently lacks search functionality and the seamless draft syncing found in Apple's ecosystem, where messages and notifications appear simultaneously across all devices [1][2]. An adjustable send delay to undo accidental messages is another missing quality-of-life tool available in competitors like Textra SMS and Gmail [1].
While Google Messages has secured its place as the Android standard through carrier and manufacturer support, the persistent gap in basic utility features leaves the user experience trailing Apple's ecosystem [2].
Coverage is mostly measured — 261 of 272 reports stay neutral.
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AI-assisted synthesis by the TrendWatcher Editorial Desk · sourced from 2 outlets · Aug 5, 2026 · How we report
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