To react to texts on Android, open the Google Messages app and long-press any text message you have received. This action opens an emoji reaction menu from which you can select an emoji to instantly attach to that message.
How to react to texts on Android with emojis
The direct method for adding an emoji reaction is the same across all conversations. Follow these steps in Google Messages:
- Open the Google Messages app on your Android phone.
- Find the text message you want to react to.
- Long-press (tap and hold) that message until a row of emoji options appears above it.
- Tap the emoji you want to use as your reaction. The emoji will appear on the message bubble.
Why your Android reactions might not be working (and how to fix it)
Message reactions on Android rely on RCS (Rich Communication Services) chat features being enabled for both you and the person you are messaging. If RCS is off for either party, your reaction will not appear as an emoji on the message. Instead, it will be sent as a separate SMS text that reads something like “so and so loved your message.”
To enable RCS chats, open Google Messages, tap your profile picture in the top right corner, select “Messages settings,” then tap “RCS chats.” Toggle the “Turn on RCS chats” option to the on position. Once RCS is active for both you and your contact, reactions will display as emojis directly on the message bubble. RCS messaging also enables other features like high-resolution photo and video sharing, typing indicators, and read receipts.
How to change or remove a reaction
If you want to change a reaction, long-press the message you already reacted to. The emoji reaction menu will reappear. Tap a new emoji to replace the old one. To change a reaction, long-press the message you reacted to and select a new emoji from the reaction menu. To remove a reaction entirely, long-press the message again and tap the highlighted reaction that is currently applied. To remove a reaction, long-press the message you reacted to and tap the highlighted reaction. The emoji will disappear from the message.
Reacting in group chats and seeing who reacted
In a group chat, multiple people can react to the same message. To see who applied each reaction, tap the group of emoji reactions that appears below the message. In group chats, you can find out who applied a reaction by tapping the group of emoji reactions. A list will expand, showing each person’s name next to the emoji they used.
Managing reactions from iPhone users
By default, Google Messages can display reactions from iPhone users as emojis instead of showing them as separate text messages. This feature is available in the U.S. for text messages sent in English. To ensure iPhone reactions show as emojis, go to Google Messages settings, then “Advanced,” and turn off “Show iPhone reactions as emoji.” When this setting is off, the reactions will appear as proper emoji icons on the message bubble rather than as text like “Liked.”
Limitations of text message reactions
You can react to text in SMS and MMS messages, but not to media like photos or videos received through MMS. For example, if someone sends you a picture, you will not see the option to long-press it and add an emoji reaction. This limitation applies regardless of whether RCS is enabled. However, RCS messaging does enable other features like high-resolution photo and video sharing, typing indicators, and read receipts, which enhance your overall text messaging and T-Mobile texts experience.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I react to texts on Android without using Google Messages?
Most Android phones use Google Messages as the default app, and it is the primary app that supports emoji reactions. Other messaging apps may have their own reaction features, but the steps and settings described here apply specifically to Google Messages.
Will my reactions work if the other person has an iPhone?
If the other person has an iPhone, your reaction will typically be sent as a separate SMS text (e.g., “Loved an image”) unless they are using RCS. With the “Show iPhone reactions as emoji” setting turned off, Google Messages can interpret the incoming iPhone reaction text and display it as an emoji on your end.
Why do my reactions sometimes appear as separate texts?
This happens when RCS chat features are not enabled for you or the person you are messaging. Without RCS, the reaction cannot be attached to the message bubble and is instead sent as a standalone SMS text message.
Can I react to messages in a group chat if some members don't have RCS?
Yes, you can still react, but the reaction will only appear as an emoji for other participants who have RCS enabled. For members without RCS, the reaction will show as a separate text message.
