For several weeks now, some Google Messages users have been facing an issue where group chat replies often arrive as individual texts or fail to download altogether. The experience has been widely reported by users, leading to fragmented conversations and even missed messages.
This glitch is quite interesting. Typically, messages that fail to download within a group chat appear marked with a download symbol. Tapping this symbol initiates the download, revealing the message within the group thread. However, Google Messages users are reporting (1,2,3) that they only see an “X” within a spinning circle that does nothing when tapped, with some replies in their group chats arriving later as individual texts.
One user detailed their frustration after transferring group chats from a Pixel 6 to a Pixel 8. Following the transfer, group chat replies consistently appeared as individual texts, severely disrupting the flow of group discussions. I can only imagine the frustration given they had just switched to the latest Google flagship phone.
What makes this situation even more vexing is the lack of acknowledgment or communication from Google. Despite persistent reports across that span weeks, there seems to be no official word on the issue or indication that Google developers are even aware of its existence. This leaves users with a growing sense that their concerns are still unknown.
For a core function of a messaging app, group chat reliability is essential. Fragmentation of conversations not only causes inconvenience but also has the potential to break down communication and lead to misunderstandings in group chats. Hopefully Google will take notice and prioritize a fix.
We will update this article when we have new information to share.
Hillary Keverenge
2114 Posts
Tech has been my playground for over a decade. While the Android journey began early, it truly took flight with the revolutionary Lollipop update. Since then, it's been a parade of Android devices (with a sprinkle of iOS), culminating in a mostly happy marriage with Google's smart home ecosystem. Expect insightful articles and explorations of the ever-evolving world of Android and Google products coupled with occasional rants on the Nest smart home ecosystem.
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