How to block and disable ads in Google Messages

Google Messages is a feature-rich texting app supporting Rich Communication Services (RCS) messaging and SMS over your carrier’s wireless network. Since these standards rely on your phone number, you may receive unwanted ads from businesses and third parties, just like you would with any other texting app. And while Google offers a spam protection feature, it’s not always effective. Therefore, here’s a quick guide on manually blocking spam and ads in Google Messages.

Manually block SMS ads and spam

If spam messages appear in your notifications, it’s likely that Google Messages’ spam protection didn’t detect them. This means that you’ll have to manually block offending senders. To block ads in Google Messages, follow these steps:

1. Open the conversation that you want to block.
2. Expand the three dots menu to the top-right of your screen.
3. Select Details.
4. Tap Block and report spam.
5. Press OK to confirm the action.

As the confirmation prompt states, future messages from that sender will not appear in your inbox or notification shade.

How to block RCS ads and spam in Google Messages

Spam sent through RCS instead of SMS can feature images and other non-text content, making them more annoying than vanilla SMS. Broadly speaking, the same steps apply if you need to block RCS-based ads in the Google Messenger app (example pictured below).

1. Open the conversation.
2. Expand the three dots menu to the top-right of your screen.
3. Select Info & options.
4. Tap Block and report spam.
5. Press OK to confirm the action.

Disable RCS to eliminate rich messages

In recent times, a handful of users have reported getting a deluge of ads and spam exclusively via Google’s new RCS protocol. However, Google stepped in and blocked this functionality in select regions to combat spam and abuse. If you’re still affected, you can follow along.

Google Messages is preloaded on most Android smartphones these days. This means that RCS is often automatically enabled when inserting a SIM card. Luckily, if you have no real use for the feature, disabling it is easy and only takes a few taps. To permanently disable RCS, follow these steps:

1. Open the Google Messages app.
2. Tap your profile picture at the top right corner of the screen.
3. Tap Messages settings.
4. Select RCS chats.
5. Toggle off the button next to Turn on RCS chats to disable the feature.

Keep in mind that this step will permanently disable RCS. If you rely on it otherwise, you may want to leave it enabled and block individual senders instead.