As you may know, Google removed the option to sign in Google Messages with QR Pairing. Now, they force you to do it ONLY with a Google account. People who don't have and don't want to create one, or people that just prefer QR pairing can still do it. But with a workaround:
- Download (or use) a Google Messages version that still allows QR pairing (like one from January 2026). It can be downloaded from Uptodown store. I tried installing it from an apk directly but it failed.
- Open the link: https://messages.google.com/web/authentication
- Sign in following the instructions on the screen.
Do it as soon as possible because Google might remove this option soon.
Yes, because people refuse to use FOSS messaging apps. So we have to use the lowest common denominator SMS/RCS. I also have Signal, SimpleX, XMPP, Delta Chat and Threema.
I get how difficult it is to just swim against the current. But the reality is that it boils down to choice. I chose to allow whomever wasn't willing to help me achieve my privacy just fade away from my life if that's what it took. However, I don't condemn anyone that hasn't made that choice, because I know how hard it is to make it and stand your ground.