Hangouts on Android will remove SMS support on May 22
Google appears to be finally pulling the trigger on Hangouts' SMS integration. In an email sent out to G Suite administrators, Google said that a warning (pictured above) will appear to Hangouts users starting March 27. The email also says that SMS support will be completely removed from Hangouts on May 22.
Here are some FAQ's
Q: Why are you deprecating SMS in Hangouts now?
A: With new experiences being added to Hangouts for business customers, such as Hangouts Chat and Meet announced at the Google Cloud Next, Hangouts is now more suited for enterprise applications. In parallel, we are focused on making Android Messages the primary place to access SMS. We believe the messaging experience that comes standard with your Android device should be intuitive, consistent, and easy-to-use, right out of the box. To make sure we’re providing a great experience across devices, we’re working with carriers and device manufacturers to include Android Messages natively in Android devices so you can easily reach everyone in your phonebook the second you power up your phone.
Q: Do I have to switch? What will happen if I don’t switch by May 22nd?
A: Users who haven’t selected another default SMS app by May 22nd will be automatically moved to another SMS app already on their phone. Another in-app promo will appear to indicate that this has happened when they first open the Hangouts app.
Q: I like Hangouts and want to continue to use it for carrier SMS. Why can’t I just use the existing functionality as-is?
A: The carrier SMS feature will no longer be supported after May 22, which is why we recommend that you begin the process of choosing another SMS messaging app for carrier SMS. Users who haven’t selected another default SMS app by May 22 will be automatically moved to another SMS app already on their phone. Another in-app promo will appear to indicate that this has happened when they first open the Hangouts app.
Q: Does this mean Google Voice SMS in Hangouts is deprecated too?
A: This change affects carrier SMS only. You can send SMS through a carrier or Google Voice in Hangouts on Android. If you choose to send SMS through Google Voice in Hangouts, nothing changes. If you choose to send SMS through a carrier in Hangouts, then you will need to select a new SMS messaging service.
Q: How does this affect me as a Project Fi user with Fi/Hangouts integration?
A: If you have Fi/Hangouts integration turned on (ie your Fi messages are synced across your devices) then you will not be affected. If you have not enabled Fi/Hangouts integration, then you will need to choose a default SMS app via the in-app promo. For more info, visit the Project Fi Community.
