Google Messages

Google LLC · Google Messages is a messaging app that combines SMS, MMS, and RCS for modern conversations.

Native Android Communication Google LLC

Bundle ID com.google.android.apps.messaging

Version analyzed messages.android_20260605_00_RC00.phone_dynamic

Build framework Native Android

SDKs detected 8

Analyzed 2026-09-12

Exploratory agent run

What Google Messages does

This mobile application is a communication client designed for asynchronous text and multimedia messaging. It facilitates the exchange of high-fidelity media through cloud-based integration, specifically leveraging Google Photos for video clarity preservation. The architecture supports both authenticated sessions via account synchronization and unauthenticated local usage, providing a standardized interface for conversation management, contact discovery, and group-based communication.

Observed on screen

User Authentication and Synchronization Allows users to sign in to enable advanced features such as high-quality media sharing and cross-device synchronization.
Unauthenticated Access Mode Provides a functional messaging interface for users who prefer to operate the application without a linked account.
Multimedia Content Optimization Integrates with cloud services to share videos via links, ensuring original resolution and clarity are maintained during transmission.
Conversation Management Features a centralized dashboard that lists active chat threads and provides status updates for new interactions.
Contact and Group Initiation Supports the creation of new communication threads by inputting names, phone numbers, or email addresses, including the ability to form multi-user groups.
Search and Discovery Includes a search utility for locating specific contacts or geographic places within the messaging workflow.
Input Method Switching Offers a toggle mechanism between alphanumeric and numeric input modes to streamline the entry of contact details and message content.

Written from a FlyTrap agent exploring the app on a real device, not from the store listing. It covers only the screens that run reached, so anything behind a login, paywall or region lock is absent.

Static + runtime analysis

SDKs detected

8 SDKs found across 6 categories. Click any SDK to see every other app that uses it.

All SDKs

Animation 1 SDK

Lottie Airbnb

Authentication 1 SDK

Google Sign-In Google

Imaging 1 SDK

Coil Coil

Machine Learning 3 SDKs

ML Kit Barcode Scanning Google

ML Kit Text Recognition Google

TensorFlow Lite Google

Payments 1 SDK

Google Wallet Google

Push Notifications 1 SDK

Firebase Cloud Messaging Google

From manifest + Info.plist

Permissions requested 23 sensitive

84 permissions requested at runtime. Colors reflect platform sensitivity tier.

Read SMS sensitive

Read SMS messages.

Receive SMS sensitive

Receive SMS messages.

Receive MMS sensitive

Receive MMS messages.

Send SMS sensitive

Send SMS messages.

Receive WAP push sensitive

Receive WAP push messages.

Read contacts sensitive

Read the user's contacts data.

Modify contacts sensitive

Add, modify, or remove contacts.

Read phone state sensitive

Read phone state, network info, and the device's phone number.

Read phone numbers sensitive

Read the device's phone numbers.

Camera sensitive

Take pictures and record video.

Write storage sensitive

Write files to shared external storage. No-op for apps targeting Android 11+.

Read storage sensitive

Read files from shared external storage. Replaced by READ_MEDIA_* on Android 13+.

Read images sensitive

Read image files from shared storage.

Read audio sensitive

Read audio files from shared storage.

Read videos sensitive

Read video files from shared storage.

Selected photos and videos sensitive

Access only photos and videos the user explicitly selected.

Microphone sensitive

Record audio from the microphone.

Make phone calls sensitive

Initiate a phone call without going through the dialer UI.

Approximate location sensitive

Access approximate location (network-based).

Precise location sensitive

Access exact location via GPS, cell, and Wi-Fi.

START FOREGROUND SERVICES FROM BACKGROUND restricted

Post notifications sensitive

Post notifications to the system.

Find accounts on device sensitive

Read the list of accounts known to the device.

READ PRIVILEGED PHONE STATE standard

MODIFY PHONE STATE standard

READ PRECISE PHONE STATE standard

Change network state standard

Change network connectivity state.

CONNECTIVITY USE RESTRICTED NETWORKS standard

PERFORM IMS SINGLE REGISTRATION standard

ACCESS RCS USER CAPABILITY EXCHANGE standard

Foreground service: remote messaging standard

Required for foreground services of type remoteMessaging.

com.google.android.apps.stargate.endpointservice.ACCESS ENDPOINT SERVICE standard

com.google.android.apps.stargate.permission.SEND EMERGENCY INTENTS standard

com.google.android.apps.stargate.permission.END EMERGENCY INTENTS standard

Wake lock standard

Keep the device awake.

WRITE SMS standard

READ CELL BROADCASTS standard

ACCESS MESSAGES ON ICC standard

Internet access standard

Open network sockets.

Network state standard

Read connectivity information.

READ PROFILE standard

Vibrate standard

Control the vibrator.

com.google.android.providers.gsf.permission.READ GSERVICES standard

DOWNLOAD WITHOUT NOTIFICATION standard

Run at startup standard

Receive the BOOT_COMPLETED broadcast.

GET PACKAGE SIZE standard

com.google.android.ims.providers.ACCESS DATA standard

com.google.android.ims.LOG ACCESS standard

com.google.android.setupwizard.READ DEVICE ORIGIN standard

com.google.android.setupwizard.READ DEVICE ORIGIN FIRST PARTY standard

com.cequint.ecid.CALLER ID EXTERNAL LOOKUP SMS standard

Foreground service standard

Run a foreground service.

Schedule exact alarms standard

Schedule alarms that fire at an exact time. Granted from system settings; denied by default on Android 13+.

Foreground service: data sync standard

Required for foreground services of type dataSync.

Foreground service: media processing standard

Required for foreground services of type mediaProcessing.

READ SYSTEM GRAMMATICAL GENDER standard

com.sec.android.provider.badge.permission.READ standard

com.sec.android.provider.badge.permission.WRITE standard

com.htc.launcher.permission.READ SETTINGS standard

com.htc.launcher.permission.UPDATE SHORTCUT standard

com.sonyericsson.home.permission.BROADCAST BADGE standard

com.sonymobile.home.permission.PROVIDER INSERT BADGE standard

com.sonymobile.launcher.permission.PROVIDER INSERT BADGE standard

com.anddoes.launcher.permission.UPDATE COUNT standard

com.majeur.launcher.permission.UPDATE BADGE standard

com.huawei.android.launcher.permission.CHANGE BADGE standard

com.huawei.android.launcher.permission.READ SETTINGS standard

com.huawei.android.launcher.permission.WRITE SETTINGS standard

READ APP BADGE standard

com.oppo.launcher.permission.READ SETTINGS standard

com.oppo.launcher.permission.WRITE SETTINGS standard

com.google.android.c2dm.permission.RECEIVE standard

com.google.android.finsky.permission.BIND GET INSTALL REFERRER SERVICE standard

Manage accounts standard

Manage accounts in the AccountManager.

com.google.android.apps.aicore.service.BIND SERVICE standard

SATELLITE COMMUNICATION standard

DETECT SCREEN RECORDING standard

QUERY USERS standard

PERSONAL CONTEXT PUBLISH HINTS standard

PERSONAL CONTEXT RECEIVE INSIGHTS standard

PERSONAL CONTEXT HOST INSIGHT SURFACE standard

PERSONAL CONTEXT READ SETTINGS standard

QUERY ADVANCED PROTECTION MODE standard

REQUEST IGNORE BATTERY OPTIMIZATIONS standard

Frequently asked questions

What FlyTrap detected inside Google Messages.

What does Google Messages do?

What is Google Messages built with?

Google Messages by Google LLC is built with Native Android. FlyTrap determined this by analyzing the app's compiled binary, not from anything the developer published.

What SDKs does Google Messages use?

FlyTrap detected 8 third-party SDKs inside Google Messages, including Coil, Firebase Cloud Messaging and Google Sign-In. They span areas such as Imaging, Push Notifications, Authentication and Payments. The full list, grouped by category, is on this page.

What permissions does Google Messages request?

Google Messages requests 84 permissions. 23 of these are sensitive, such as Read SMS, Receive SMS and Receive MMS. Each is listed above with its platform sensitivity tier.

Is Google Messages safe to use?

FlyTrap reports what an app contains, it does not issue a safety verdict. Google Messages requests 84 permissions (23 sensitive) and bundles 8 third-party SDKs. Reviewing those alongside the developer helps you decide what you are comfortable granting.

What platforms is Google Messages available on?

The version FlyTrap analyzed targets Android.

Same genre

Google Messages

What Google Messages does

Observed on screen

SDKs detected

Permissions requested 23 sensitive

Frequently asked questions

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