Originally written by Amit Kumar, updated by Dibyajyoti Kabi. First published December 22, 2018. Updated October 24, 2026.
To send SMS from a computer, open Google Messages on your Android phone, tap your account menu > Device pairing, then open messages.google.com/web in a browser on your PC and sign in with the same Google Account. Tap the matching emoji on your phone and your texts show up on the computer.
When this post first went up, the app was called Android Messages and you paired it by scanning a QR code. Google renamed it Google Messages and switched to Google Account pairing, so I’ve rewritten the steps to match the app today.
Key points
- Google Messages for web works in Chrome, Firefox, Safari and Edge.
- Your phone needs the latest Google Messages app and Android 5.0 or higher.
- Texts still go out through your phone, so normal carrier charges apply.
- Only one computer can be active at a time.
- Unpair when you’re done on a shared or public computer.
What do I need to text from my computer?
You need an Android phone with Google Messages set as your default texting app, a Google Account, and a computer with a modern browser. Google’s Messages for web help page lists Android 5.0 or higher on the phone and Chrome, Firefox, Safari or Edge on the computer. Internet Explorer doesn’t work.
If your phone uses another texting app, like Samsung Messages, install Google Messages from the Play Store and set it as the default when it asks.
How do I set up Google Messages for web?
Pair your phone and computer with the same Google Account. It takes about a minute.
- On your phone, open Google Messages.
- Tap your profile picture at the top right, then tap Device pairing.
- Sign in with your Google Account if it asks.
- On your computer, go to messages.google.com/web in your browser.
- Sign in with the same Google Account.
- Your phone shows three emoji. Tap the one that matches what’s on your computer screen.
Your phone vibrates when pairing is done, and your conversations load in the browser. Now you can read and send texts right from your keyboard.
Can I still pair with a QR code?
On many versions of the app, yes. On the Device pairing screen, look for a QR code scanner option, then scan the code shown on messages.google.com/web. Google now puts Google Account pairing first, so use that if you don’t see the QR option.
How do I unpair my computer?
Unpair when you’re done on a computer other people use, so nobody can read your texts or verification codes.
- On the computer, open Google Messages for web.
- Click the menu at the top left and click Unpair.
To do it from your phone, open Google Messages, tap your profile picture > Device pairing, and tap the delete icon next to the computer, or tap Unpair all computers.
Why isn’t Google Messages for web working?
Most pairing problems come down to the wrong account, an old app version or a dropped connection. Run through these before you try again.
| Problem | What to try |
|---|---|
| Pairing never finishes | Update Google Messages and sign in with the same Google Account on both |
| Messages stop syncing | Check that your phone has Wi-Fi or mobile data and isn’t in battery saver |
| Got unpaired on its own | Google unpairs after a few weeks without use. Pair again |
| Option missing on the phone | Make sure Google Messages is your default SMS app |
Frequently asked questions
Does texting from a computer cost extra?
No extra charges from Google. The texts go through your phone, so your normal carrier rates for SMS apply, the same as on the phone.
Can I text from my computer if my phone is off?
No. Google Messages for web shows what’s on your phone and sends through it, so the phone needs to be on and connected.
Can I send pictures from my computer?
Yes. Click the attachment icon in the chat box to add a photo or file, the same way you would on the phone.
Related guides
- Android Messages web client lets you text over Wi-Fi
- How to block calls and SMS and reduce spam on Android Oreo
- Top 3 Android SMS trackers
- More SMS guides on TheDroidGuru
That’s it. Once your phone is paired, you can answer texts from your desk without picking it up.
If pairing keeps failing, leave a comment with your phone model, Android version and the browser you’re using, and I’ll help you sort it out.
