Google Messages: 4 Ways to Block Annoying Ads

It explains how to block and disable ads in Google Messages and Samsung Messages, the default messaging apps for most Android phones.

[{"selector":"#anim-a3a2a3f9-4991-47b0-80a3-3e9d2f9202ae","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-115.2381%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-5e33df41-3688-4f3c-a6fa-d138be4d170b","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-af099a9a-9140-452c-baf6-aeae12b194e0","keyframes":{"transform":["scale(0.15)","scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"forwards"}]

The ads are sent by businesses using RCS messages, a new text messaging protocol that enables user-friendly features like read receipts, typing indicators, and end-to-end encryption.

[{"selector":"#anim-0da9a357-133e-413a-96d1-82daa05e5c9d","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-115.87301%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-49c73022-1481-45aa-8697-a9a8bda42e6b","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-9b08be20-1b9f-4ff0-9a61-1f076e45828e","keyframes":{"transform":["scale(0.15)","scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"forwards"}]

It suggests two methods to block the ads: blocking the contacts and conversations manually, or disabling RCS features altogether.

[{"selector":"#anim-fc5da171-548c-4ad3-b05b-3245071b1185","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-116.29393%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-7e41769a-f6b1-4071-80f6-857012163e70","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-7a1e8e70-78e5-4069-a272-9b37ef46ddb0","keyframes":{"transform":["scale(0.15)","scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"forwards"}]

Blocking the contacts and conversations can be done by tapping the three-dot menu in the conversation or the contact info, and selecting "Block & Report Spam".

[{"selector":"#anim-4a0ace8b-7ad1-4e64-b088-ddfa1d9a2d14","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-116.29393%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-ebf6f5be-7ad1-4004-90b8-e2c500439ff4","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-76effa8f-8936-47ba-8d6c-146602e49aa1","keyframes":{"transform":["scale(0.15)","scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"forwards"}]

Disabling RCS features can be done by going to Settings >Chat features and toggling off the "Enable chat features" option in Google Messages.

[{"selector":"#anim-ab2ad6bb-4f36-4bb0-8b23-d80cab5bb791","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-115.2381%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-64ad0700-9ef6-4af9-aa17-70f4ab9efc99","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-a40c7636-0b04-476e-a25d-162b3e41144b","keyframes":{"transform":["scale(0.15)","scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"forwards"}]