Google changes some chimes for its RCS powered Messages app for Android

2 min readUpdated Jun 4, 2025Dec 1, 20226:50 AM

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Google has been spiffing up its Messages app for Android. Last month, it revealed a new icon for the app, and now there are new chimes for sent and received messages. You can change the sound that plays when you get an incoming message. Go to Settings > Sound & vibration > Default notification sound. Tap on the top box, and you’ll see a list of sounds you can pick as the one you will hear to alert you of an incoming message. Be sure to hit “save” on the screen’s upper right after making your selection.

But even though you can choose the sound that will play to herald an incoming message, the Messages app determines the sound that will play for incoming and outgoing messages when a thread is open. After going through testing for several weeks, Google has replaced the old incoming, and outgoing messages chime with shorter and softer sounds.

Other changes on the way include the ability of the Rich Communication Service (RCS) platform found in Google Messages to allow users to react using any emoji they want to use rather than choose from the limited number include the ability of the Rich Communication Service (RCS) platforms found in Google Messages to allow users to react using any emoji they want to use rather than choose from the limited number of seven

A sent message will show a small circle with a checkmark inside while a delivered message will show two circles each with a checkmark inside. A message that has been read will still have the two circles with the checkmarks, but the inside of the circle will be colored in. This smells like a server-side update that will require Google to flip the switch on its end to disseminate the update; there is nothing that you can do about it on your end to make it arrive faster.

Hey! We should also point out that if you have an Android phone and you want the features of RCS which including the ability to send longer messages, higher quality video and images, get read receipts, typing indicators, and use emoji reactions, you need to dump the carrier-based Messages app you’re currently using (like Verizon Messages for example) and download Google Messages found in the Play Store.

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Questions & Answers

How can users change the sound for incoming messages in the Google Messages app?

Users can change the sound by going to Settings, then Sound & vibration, and selecting Default notification sound. They tap the top box to choose from a list of sounds, remembering to hit 'save' afterwards.

What new visual indicators will appear for message status in the app?

A sent message will show a small circle with a checkmark. A delivered message will display two circles, each with a checkmark. A read message will have two checkmarked circles, but with the inside of the circles coloured in.

Do users need to take action to receive the new shorter and softer chimes?

No, users do not need to take action. The change is a server-side update, meaning Google will disseminate it from their end by flipping a switch, and users cannot make it arrive faster.

What must Android phone users do to access RCS features like higher quality media and read receipts?

Android phone users must download Google Messages from the Play Store. This is necessary to access RCS features, as they need to stop using their carrier-based Messages app.

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