Eight Features I Disabled in Google Messages for a Cleaner Experience

Google Messages has become increasingly feature-rich over the years, but some users may find certain features intrusive or annoying. One writer decided to disable eight features to see if the app would be more enjoyable without them.

The first feature disabled was Gemini, a bot that allows for brainstorming ideas and drafting messages. The writer found it unnecessary and preferred to use the dedicated Gemini app instead of integrating it into Messages.

Another feature turned off was Profile sharing, which shows your name and picture in RCS conversations with contacts. While this can be helpful for identification, some users may prefer to keep their profile private.

The writer also disabled Outgoing message sounds, finding them distracting when trying to focus on work or other tasks. Floating chat heads (bubbles) were another feature turned off, as they could be seen by others in the room and interrupted the user's workflow.

Follow-up reminders, read receipts, typing indicators, sensitive content warnings, and birthday reminders were also disabled for a more streamlined messaging experience.