{
  "id": 19963389,
  "title": "5 apps you can use instead of Google Messages",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/11/14/5-apps-you-can-use-instead-of-google-messages",
  "topic": "tech",
  "section": "Tech",
  "published": "2026-11-14T10:00:32.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Android Authority",
    "slug": "android-authority",
    "url": "https://www.androidauthority.com/google-messages-alternative-messaging-apps-3733535/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": null,
  "summary": "Google Messages is a leading messaging app for Android due to its RCS support, which Android Authority notes is currently only truly supported via Google's official app. While some users may not prioritize the RCS standard, several alternative messaging apps exist that utilize either SMS or proprietary web-based formats.\n\nTo combat mobile fraud, Google is introducing Enhanced protection, an opt-in setting for Google Messages. Android Police reports that Google's existing Scam Detection flags over 5 million suspected scam calls and texts monthly across the Phone and Messages apps. While the standard check runs locally on the device for contacts not in a user's list, the new Enhanced protection feature can use Google’s cloud Gemini models to analyze message context when chatting with unknown senders. Additionally, Gemini Nano will use live web signals to rate unfamiliar links through a smarter link check.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "9to5Google",
        "title": "The Xiaomi 18 Pro’s rear displays support Google apps, Spotify, and custom GenAI apps",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/11/13/the-xiaomi-18-pros-rear-displays-support-google-apps-spotify-and",
        "published": "2026-11-13T16:45:47.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}