Send text messages, photos, voice messages, videos, and more with your Pixel’s Messages app.
Step 1 of 7
Important: If your previous phone was an iPhone, you need to turn off iMessage before you start to send text messages on your Pixel.
Turn off iMessage on your iPhone
- Open your iPhone’s Settings app.
- Tap Messages
- Turn off iMessage.
Tips:
- If you don’t have your phone anymore, switch texting from iMessage to Google Messages.
- If you use WhatsApp for messages, you can transfer WhatApp data to your Pixel device.
Step 2 of 7
On your Pixel, open the Messages app .
Step 3 of 7
Important: If you're in any group chats with friends who have iPhones and want to keep getting their messages, you or your friends need to start a new group text message.
To start a new conversation, tap Start chat.
Step 4 of 7
Choose one of your contacts. To message someone who’s not in your contacts, enter their phone number manually.
Tip: You can also start a group message when you tap Create group.
Step 5 of 7
Type your message. To add an emoji to your message, tap Emoji .
Step 6 of 7
You can send more than text in your message, like:
- Emojis
- GIFs
- Stickers
- Voice messages
- Photos or videos
To make a custom Photomoji or Sticker from your photo library, tap Create. When you’re done, tap Send 
Step 7 of 7
To read a new message, swipe down from the top of your screen to find the notification. Then, tap the new message. From the notification, you can also quickly mark the message as read or reply.