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How to Set Up and Use Google Messages on a PC

Send and receive Android texts on your computer

By Adam S. Doud Adam S. Doud Writer Adam has been writing about mobile technology since 2011. He is the former host of the Android Authority podcast, and his work has appeared in numerous publications. lifewire's editorial guidelines Updated on December 20, 2021 Tweet Share Email Tweet Share Email Texting & Messaging Email Texting & Messaging Video Calls

What to Know

Open the Messages app on your phone. Tap the three-dot menu > Messages for web > QR code scanner.On your computer, open a web browser and go to messages.google.com. Scan the QR code with your phone.Allow notifications when prompted. Click Allow > OK to remember your computer. You won't have to repeat this process every time. This article explains how to set up and use Google Messages on a PC. It includes information on the features available in the Messages app for the web and on how to log out. This information applies to the Messages app from the Google Play Store and phones with Android 5.0 or later.

How to Use Google Messages for Web

Phones are our communication hubs, but we spend a lot of time at our computers. Google Messages for the web is one way to send a text from your computer. Sending and receiving Google Messages on a PC using a web browser is a simple process that you can set up in just a couple of minutes. Here's how: Open the Messages app on your phone. Tap the hamburger button (three vertical dots). Tap Messages for web. Tap QR code scanner. On your computer, open a web browser and go to http://messages.google.com. Scan the QR Code with your phone. Your browser prompts you to allow notifications. This allows you to receive new incoming text messages as they arrive. Click Allow. Click OK to remember the computer, so you don't have to repeat this process every time you want to get messages in your browser. That's it! As long as you have the browser tab open, you'll receive text messages and you'll be able to reply without picking up your phone. If you close the browser tab, as long as you chose Remember as described above, all you need to do is head back to http://messages.google.com and you'll be right back in there.

Features Available in Google Messages for Web

Messages for web is also convenient beause you can do almost everything in your browser as you can on your phone. Things like emoji, stickers, and attachments are accessible in the tools on the right of the text box. An added benefit is you can include attachments that are on your computer. The downside is you cannot include things that are on your phone, such as location data, photos, etc. You also do not have access to features like Google Assistant information for restaurants, movies, or weather. One other notable missing feature is the ability to send a voice clip. In all, it's not a perfect substitute for picking up your phone, but some of the missing features are fairly niche; your mileage will vary in this case.

How to Log Out of Google Messages for Web

If you ever want to stop using a computer for texting, you can. In the Android App, tap the hamburger button and choose Messages for web. At the bottom of the page, you can sign out of a single computer by clicking X on the right, or all computers by clicking Sign out of all computers. On the web, click the hamburger button and then select Sign out. Was this page helpful? Thanks for letting us know! Get the Latest Tech News Delivered Every Day Subscribe Tell us why! Other Not enough details Hard to understand Submit More from Lifewire How to Make WhatsApp Calls on a PC or Mac How to Use Google Duo on the Web How to Send a Text From a Computer to a Phone How to Connect an Android to a PC How to Use Google Chat How to Use Google Pay on iPhone How to Fix Not Getting Text Notifications on iPhone How to Set up and Use the Google Duo Chat App Best Free Internet Phone Calls Apps (October 2022) How to Use WhatsApp on Your Apple Watch How to Send a Text Message to a Group How to Set Up a New Android Phone How to Log Out of Facebook Protect Yourself From Malicious QR Codes How to Recover Deleted Text Messages on Any Phone How to Use Snapchat on PC Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up By clicking “Accept All Cookies”, you agree to the storing of cookies on your device to enhance site navigation, analyze site usage, and assist in our marketing efforts. Cookies Settings Accept All Cookies