Can You Like Messages on a Samsung Phone? The Definitive Guide

Yes, you can like messages on a Samsung phone, but the specific way you do it depends heavily on the messaging app you’re using. Samsung phones, running the Android operating system, don’t have a universal “like” button built into the OS for all messaging platforms. Instead, the ability to react to messages is implemented within individual apps like Samsung Messages (the default app), Google Messages, or third-party apps like WhatsApp and Telegram.

Understanding Message Reactions on Samsung

The concept of reacting to messages with emojis (often referred to as “liking”) is a relatively recent feature in mobile messaging. It allows for quick, non-verbal responses to convey emotions or acknowledgements without typing a full reply. The availability and functionality depend entirely on the chosen messaging app and whether the recipient is using a compatible platform.

Samsung Messages App

Samsung’s own Messages app, designed for SMS and MMS, has evolved to support RCS (Rich Communication Services), which is essentially the next generation of SMS. When communicating with someone else using RCS within the Samsung Messages app, you typically can react to messages with a selection of emojis. To do so, you usually long-press on the message you want to react to, and a pop-up will appear displaying various emoji reactions such as a heart, thumbs up, laughing face, surprised face, sad face, and angry face. Simply tap the emoji that best represents your reaction.

However, it’s crucial to remember that if you’re sending SMS or MMS messages, which are still the standard for communicating with users who don’t have RCS enabled or are on different platforms, these reactions won’t work. SMS/MMS are older protocols and don’t support emoji reactions the same way RCS or dedicated internet-based messaging apps do. In this scenario, the recipient will likely receive a text message stating something like “Liked [message]” which isn’t ideal.

Google Messages

Google Messages, available for download on any Android phone, is a strong competitor to Samsung Messages and also heavily promotes RCS. Like Samsung Messages, it allows you to react to messages when communicating with other users who have RCS enabled in Google Messages. The process is almost identical – long-press the message and select an emoji reaction.

Third-Party Messaging Apps

Messaging apps like WhatsApp, Telegram, Facebook Messenger, and Signal have their own built-in reaction systems. For example, in WhatsApp, you long-press a message to bring up a reaction menu. Telegram also allows you to react, and you can even set a default reaction emoji that you can send with a double-tap.

Key Takeaway

Essentially, the ability to “like” or react to a message on a Samsung phone isn’t a feature of the phone itself but a feature of the messaging app you are using. If you want a consistent experience, especially with features like reactions, consider adopting a messaging app that widely supports RCS or using a popular third-party app.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Why can’t I like messages on my Samsung phone?

The most common reason you can’t “like” or react to messages is that you’re using a messaging app that doesn’t support reactions or you’re communicating with someone using SMS/MMS rather than RCS or an internet-based messaging protocol. Check if your messaging app supports message reactions and ensure both you and the recipient are using the same platform with reactions enabled.

2. How do I enable RCS on my Samsung phone?

In the Samsung Messages or Google Messages app, go to Settings > Chat features (or RCS chats). Ensure the “Enable chat features” option is toggled on. You might need to verify your phone number. RCS requires a data connection (Wi-Fi or mobile data) to work.

3. Will iPhone users see my reactions if I use RCS?

Yes, if you’re using Google Messages or Samsung Messages with RCS enabled and reacting to a message, the iPhone user will see the reaction as a translated text message such as “Liked [message]”. While it’s not the same as a native emoji reaction, they will still understand that you reacted to their message. iMessage doesn’t fully support RCS yet.

4. What happens if I “like” an SMS message?

If you try to react to an SMS message using the reaction feature in an RCS-enabled app, the recipient will receive a separate text message stating your reaction, like “[Your Name] liked [Original Message]”. It won’t appear as a native emoji reaction on their end.

5. Can I customize the emoji reactions on Samsung Messages?

While the default reactions in Samsung Messages are pre-determined, some third-party messaging apps like Telegram offer customization options. You can often change the default reaction emoji or even create custom reaction sets. Samsung Messages doesn’t offer direct customization of default emojis.

6. Are message reactions available in all countries?

RCS availability varies by country and mobile carrier. Even if your phone and app support RCS, it might not be available in your region. Check with your mobile carrier to confirm RCS support. Popular third-party messaging apps generally have wider international availability of reaction features.

7. Do message reactions use data?

Yes, using message reactions over RCS or in internet-based messaging apps uses data. However, the amount of data used is typically very small. SMS messages, which don’t support reactions directly, don’t use data but are often charged per message depending on your plan.

8. How do I disable message reactions in Samsung Messages?

You can’t directly disable the ability to react to messages if RCS is enabled. However, if you want to avoid accidentally sending a reaction to someone who might not see it correctly (like an iPhone user), you can disable RCS altogether in the app settings. Go to Settings > Chat features (or RCS chats) and toggle off “Enable chat features”.

9. Are message reactions encrypted?

The encryption status of message reactions depends on the messaging app you’re using. Apps like Signal and WhatsApp offer end-to-end encryption for all messages, including reactions. RCS messages in Google Messages and Samsung Messages are encrypted in transit, but not necessarily end-to-end by default.

10. Why are my message reactions showing up as question marks to some people?

This usually happens when the recipient’s device or messaging app doesn’t support the specific emoji you used as a reaction. Older devices or apps might not have the latest emoji sets, resulting in the display of question marks or boxes. Consider using more common emojis to ensure wider compatibility.

11. What is the difference between “liking” a message and replying to a message?

“Liking” a message is a quick, non-verbal way to acknowledge or react to a message with an emoji. It’s a less involved response than typing a full reply. Replying to a message involves typing and sending a text response, allowing for more detailed communication and conversation.

12. Can I see who reacted to my messages?

Yes, in messaging apps that support reactions, you can typically see who reacted to your message and which emoji they used. In most apps, tapping on the message reaction will reveal a list of people who reacted. This allows you to understand how different people responded to your message.