With unique features like RCS messaging and a useful web client, Google Messaging has become an essential SMS / MMS application for Android. It appears that later this year, Google intends for its Messaging app to stop working on non-certified Android devices.
About APK Insight: In this “APK Insight” post, we decompile the latest version of an application that Google uploaded to the Play Store. When we decompile these files (called APKs, in the case of Android apps), we can see several lines of code within this tip for possible future features. Keep in mind that Google may or may not provide these features, and our interpretation of what they may be imperfect. We will try to enable those who are closer to completion, however, to show how they will look if they are sent. With that in mind, keep reading.
‘Uncertified’ devices
For a device running the Android operating system to be formally considered an “Android”, it must go through the Google certification process before launch. Certified devices may come with the Google application suite pre-installed, including essential applications such as Google Play Services.
Before, it was possible to manually install these Google apps on a non-certified Android device. That was until two years ago, when Google started preventing non-certified devices from even signing in to a Google account.
In general, Google Messaging has been irrelevant to the conversation of non-certified Android devices, as the app is not pre-installed on most devices and must be installed through the Google Play Store. However, this does not seem to be the case for much longer. With Google Messages 7.2 beta, released now through the Play Store, a new warning has been added to the application code.
On March 31, Messages will stop working on non-certified devices, including this one.
Simply put, if your phone is a non-certified Android device, you will lose access to the Google Messaging app starting March 31. Although uncertified Androids are generally rare to be found by an ordinary person, there are some notable examples, such as Huawei’s latest devices.
One possible reason for the move is the recent addition of end-to-end encryption to Google Messaging. Last year, when Google reiterated that owners of Huawei devices should not transfer Play Services to their phones, they emphasized that non-certified devices did not have their security verified. Therefore, encrypted messages on these devices can be compromised.
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