If you’ve noticed that the Google Photos option is mysteriously absent from your Messages app, don’t worry—there’s a straightforward workaround. Google’s messaging app, known for its range of features and integrations, includes a less-discussed yet handy feature: Photos integration. This feature enables you to upload images and videos directly to Google Photos and share them as links within the Messaging app.
Although you can send images and videos directly through RCS, the downside is that they are sent in a compressed format. On the other hand, using links allows you to share media files in their full resolution. Unfortunately, recent issues with the app have affected this feature, leading to concerns from users about the missing Google Photos option.
If you’re experiencing this problem, you can resolve it by downgrading the Google Messages app to its earlier build. Follow these simple steps:
- Navigate to Settings > Apps > All Apps > Google Messages.
- Tap on the overflow icon and select Uninstall Updates > OK.
- Open the Play Store and search for the Google Messages app.
- Tap on the overflow icon and uncheck Enable Auto Update.
That’s it. Following these steps should restore the missing Photos option in the Google Messages app. As of now, the developers have not officially acknowledged this issue or provided an estimated time for a fix. This guide will be updated when any official statements or fixes are released. In the meantime, these workarounds should help you get back to using the Photos integration feature seamlessly.