One of the biggest reasons Google is pushing RCS adoption is here, and it’s a game-changer. Google Messages, the top RCS app on Android, is about to let you send photos in their original quality, putting an end to more grainy, compressed images.
Google Messages is adding a new setting in the Photo Picker with a simple toggle labeled “HD” or “HD+.” It may sound a little vague, but once you tap it, it becomes clear one option reduces image size to save data, while the other sends your photo in original quality. Users could utilize this feature to show off their photography in its original quality.
This new feature, discovered by Android Authority in a beta APK of Google Messages, brings a familiar vibe for WhatsApp users, who are used to a similar HD toggle. It is unclear if this will apply to videos as well.
This update follows last year’s introduction of Ultra HDR support for Google Messages, a feature made possible by Android 14. Ultra HDR combines a regular JPEG with extra metadata, so even if the receiving app doesn’t support HDR, it still shows a standard image. But if it does support HDR, it brings out all the incredible contrast and color depth.
Currently, Google Messages is only offering the original quality toggle in its beta version, but they will soon be rolling it out for everyone.