Messages

Zift Advisory

The Android Messages app is the native messaging app for Android devices. With Android Messages, users can send and receive texts, media files, audio clips and participate in group chats. Android Messages is free to use, rated for users of all ages, and does not feature any in-app advertisements or purchases. This app is safe for kids with parental supervision.

About Messages

What is Messages?

The Android Messages app is the native messaging app for Android devices. With Android Messages, users can send and receive text messages, participate in group chats, send and receive media files, as well as audio clips. Android Messages is free to use, rated for users of all ages, and does not feature any in-app advertisements or purchases.

Android Messages includes many of the features users are familiar with in messaging platforms such as the ability to send and receive emojis, GIFs, and animated emoji art, as well as the ability to change SMS themes, font and messaging bubble options.

Android Messages also allow for users to send and receive money through the app. In order for a user to do so, they must also have a Google Pay Send account (and the Google Pay Send app downloaded to their device).

Users between the ages of 13 and 17 may use the Google Pay Send app, but only to redeem a Google Play gift card for items purchased through Google Play and/or YouTube. Otherwise, Google Pay Send app users must be 18 years of age or older to send and receive monies through the app.

The Android Messages app is also compatible with Wear OS by Google Smartwatch. Wear OS users may sync their devices so that they are able to send and receive messages from their smartwatch.

Is Messages safe for my kids?

Not only should parents set expectations for use prior to allowing minors to use the Google Pay Send app and monitor use on an ongoing basis, but it’s important for parents to know that any other use of the app. Sending money to a friend for example, is strictly against the app’s terms of use.

While it’s standard with many native applications, parents should pay attention to the permissions the Android Messages app requires.

What parents should be aware of, with the Android Messages app, is their permissions policy, which is not ideal for those wishing to keep their information, texting, and even phone activity to themselves.

By using Android Messages, users give the app permission to:

read contact card

modify contacts

read text messages

edit text messages

read phone status and identity

read precise location (through both GPS and network)

read contents of USB storage

modify or delete contents of USB storage

download files without notification

receive data from Internet

change network connectivity

run at startup

prevent device from sleeping

read Google service configuration

change network connectivity

measure app storage space

Apart from permissions, the only concern parents may have won’t be with the Android Messages app itself, rather it will be with who their children are communicating with through the app. This app is safe for kids with parental supervision.