To turn off read receipts and typing indicators in Google Messages, open your profile icon, tap Messages settings > RCS chats (or Chat features), then switch off Send read receipts and Show typing indicators. To stop link preview cards, open Messages settings > Automatic previews and switch off Show all previews. These controls are separate, so you can change only the features you want.
Turn off read receipts
- Open Google Messages.
- Tap your profile photo or icon, then tap Messages settings.
- Tap RCS chats. If that label is not shown, look for Chat features.
- Turn off Send read receipts.
This stops Google Messages from sending a read receipt when you read someone’s message. It does not change the other person’s setting. To see when someone else has read your message, that person must also have read receipts enabled. Google’s read-receipt help explains the setting.
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Turn off typing indicators
- In Google Messages, tap your profile photo or icon.
- Open Messages settings > RCS chats (or Chat features).
- Turn off Show typing indicators.
This is a separate switch from read receipts, so you can leave one on while turning the other off. Google’s RCS chat settings instructions cover both controls.
Turn off link previews
- Tap your profile photo or icon in Google Messages.
- Open Messages settings > Automatic previews.
- Turn off Show all previews.
If you want fewer previews rather than none, choose Show only web link previews instead. Google notes that URLs may contain personal information, such as location or bank details; turning off preview cards does not remove details embedded in a URL you share. See Google’s automatic preview settings help.
#1 Best Overall
- YOUR CONTENT, SUPER SMOOTH: The ultra-clear 6.7" FHD+ Super AMOLED display of Galaxy A17 5G helps bring your content to life, whether you're scrolling through recipes or video chatting with loved ones.¹
- LIVE FAST. CHARGE FASTER: Focus more on the moment and less on your battery percentage with Galaxy A17 5G. Super Fast Charging powers up your battery so you can get back to life sooner.²
- MEMORIES MADE PICTURE PERFECT: Capture every angle in stunning clarity, from wide family photos to close-ups of friends, with the triple-lens camera on Galaxy A17 5G.
- NEED MORE STORAGE? WE HAVE YOU COVERED: With an improved 2TB of expandable storage, Galaxy A17 5G makes it easy to keep cherished photos, videos and important files readily accessible whenever you need them.³
- BUILT TO LAST: With an improved IP54 rating, Galaxy A17 5G is even more durable than before.⁴ It’s built to resist splashes and dust and comes with a stronger yet slimmer Gorilla Glass Victus front and Glass Fiber Reinforced Polymer back.
Choose individual switches or turn off RCS
For the three controls in this guide, use the individual switches. Turning off RCS is a broader change, not a prerequisite for disabling read receipts or typing indicators.
| Choice | Setting | What changes |
|---|---|---|
| Disable read receipts | Messages settings > RCS chats / Chat features | Stops sending read receipts; does not change the other person’s setting. |
| Disable typing indicators | Messages settings > RCS chats / Chat features | Stops showing others when you are typing. |
| Disable all previews | Messages settings > Automatic previews | Turns off automatic preview cards. You can instead show only web link previews. |
| Disable RCS chats | Messages settings > RCS chats | Also disables read receipts and typing indicators, while removing access to RCS features such as messaging over mobile data or Wi-Fi, high-resolution photo and file sharing, typing indicators, and read receipts. |
Google describes automatic previews as using on-device intelligence to recognize selected content in chat history, such as links and street addresses. It says selected details are sent to Google for a quick, secure lookup and are not saved to your Google Account or Location History, or linked to identifiers such as your name or phone number. This is Google’s description of the feature, not an independent audit. Details are in Google’s preview help.
Rank #2
- Carrier: This phone is locked to Tracfone, which means this device can only be used on the Tracfone wireless network. Tracfone plan required, activating is easy, just 3 steps.
- DISPLAY: Immersive viewing on a 6.7-inch super-bright 120Hz display with powerful stereo speakers and Bass Boost for cinematic entertainment.
- CAMERA SYSTEM: Advanced 50MP Quad Pixel camera captures sharp, detailed photos and videos in any lighting condition
- PERFORMANCE: Lightning-fast 5G connectivity paired with a powerful processor and RAM Boost for smooth multitasking.
- BATTERY LIFE: Long-lasting 5000mAh battery with TurboPower charging technology delivers hours of power in minutes.
Menu labels and availability can vary
Google’s instructions use RCS chats, though some app versions show Chat features. Whether RCS is available can depend on your device, carrier, and region. If you do not see the listed menu or switch, check Google’s RCS chat availability and setup information as well as the current in-app settings. The cited support pages do not provide publication dates, and labels or availability may change.
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These settings are not encryption controls
Turning off previews, read receipts, or typing indicators is not the same as changing a conversation’s encryption. Google says verified RCS chats between businesses and users are not end-to-end encrypted, and business messages may handle read receipts differently. See Google’s information about business messages and encryption.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- Carrier: This phone is locked to Tracfone, which means this device can only be used on the Tracfone wireless network. Activating is easy, just 3 steps.
- ACTIVATION Promotion: Includes 1500 min, 1500 texts & 1500 MB Data + add more as you need it
- CAMERA SYSTEM: 50MP Quad Pixel camera. Capture sharper, more vibrant photos day or night with 4x the light sensitivity.
- PERFORMANCE: Blazing-fast Qualcomm performance. Get the speed you need for great entertainment with a Snapdragon 680 processor and 4GB of RAM.
- 64GB built-in storage. Get plenty of room for photos, movies, songs, and apps. Made for US
Rank #4
- PRIVACY DISPLAY: Automatically hide your screen from those beside you. The built-in privacy display can be preset¹ to turn on when receiving notifications, typing passwords, or using specific apps
- TYPE IT IN. TRANSFORM IT FAST: Enhance any shot in seconds on your smartphone by using Photo Assist² with Galaxy AI.³ Add objects, restore details, or apply new styles by simply typing or tapping
- NIGHTS, CAPTURED CLEARLY: From gigs to city lights, record and capture moments after dark with clarity using Nightography so your photos and videos stay crisp and clear on your Samsung Galaxy
- MAKE IT. EDIT IT. SHARE IT: Turn everyday moments into something personal with creative tools built right into your mobile phone, whether it’s a special contact photo, custom wallpaper, an invitation or more⁴
- HELP THAT KEEPS UP: Stay in the moment while Now Nudge with Galaxy AI helps you respond faster and stay organized with smart suggestions⁵ that appear exactly when you need them on your phone
Rank #3
- YOUR CONTENT, SUPER SMOOTH: The ultra-clear 6.7" FHD+ Super AMOLED display of Galaxy A17 5G helps bring your content to life, whether you're scrolling through recipes or video chatting with loved ones.¹
- LIVE FAST. CHARGE FASTER: Focus more on the moment and less on your battery percentage with Galaxy A17 5G. Super Fast Charging powers up your battery so you can get back to life sooner.²
- MEMORIES MADE PICTURE PERFECT: Capture every angle in stunning clarity, from wide family photos to close-ups of friends, with the triple-lens camera on Galaxy A17 5G.
- NEED MORE STORAGE? WE HAVE YOU COVERED: With an improved 2TB of expandable storage, Galaxy A17 5G makes it easy to keep cherished photos, videos and important files readily accessible whenever you need them.³
- BUILT TO LAST: With an improved IP54 rating, Galaxy A17 5G is even more durable than before.⁴ It’s built to resist splashes and dust and comes with a stronger yet slimmer Gorilla Glass Victus front and Glass Fiber Reinforced Polymer back.
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