Just like the good ‘ol days…only better

There are times that we don’t have our phones with us. Whether we are charging its drained battery, or its unethical to bring it out during a meeting, we might miss a text message or two.

Google aims to solve that by a web client of its Android Messages app. Just like the native version, the web client lets you send and receive text messages using your computer. In a nutshell, it is similar to the services of the now-defunct Chikka service.

Google has rolled out the feature to all Android devices, which means that you can use Android Messages for Web as of this writing.

Here’s how to get started: First, you visit the Android Messages web client.

From the page, you have a QR code, along with some instructions. Make sure that you update your Android Messages app on your phone before proceeding to the linking of two devices. In case you only use one computer, you can tick the “Remember this computer” option at the bottom.

With your phone, if you have updated your messages app, you should find a Messages for web option at the menu of the three dotted icon on the top right corner. From there, it will ask you to scan the QR code found in the web client.

After you follow the instructions and sync the two devices together, you will arrive at a splash page with the web client.

You get to use all the features of the mobile client such as emojis and GIFs, along with a dark mode to conserve power on your computer. There are a few drawbacks: First, you need your phone to be online to use the web client. Second, you can only have one active computer at a time.

Do remember that Android Messages for Web is still in its early stages, so expect bugs here and there. Other than that, its a great move for Google as it aims for Android Messages to rival Apple’s iMessage.