Google is introducing a new way for users to verify their contacts in text conversations. The company has begun testing a QR code feature that enables users to verify the identity of the person they are messaging, according to a report by 9to5Google. The feature is currently being released in beta for Google Messages users.
A simpler way to verify encryption
End-to-end encryption in messaging apps is not a new concept, but verifying encryption keys has often been a cumbersome process. Previously, users had to compare an 80-digit code with their contact to ensure their messages were secure. With the new system, users can still open Google Messages, tap on a contact’s name, and view their details page. However, instead of manually comparing long strings of numbers, there is now an option to display a QR code or scan the code of the other person.
Google says these verification keys “ensure only you and your contact can read the RCS messages you send each other.” The traditional 80-digit code comparison remains available as a backup method if the QR code option fails or is not accessible.
A step towards unified security
Google first announced plans for this feature in October last year, explaining that it aimed to create a “unified system for public key verification across different apps.” At the time, the company confirmed that the verification process could be completed through either QR code scanning or manual comparison of the number. The feature is designed for all devices running Android 9 and newer, ensuring that a wide range of users can access the new security tool.
This move reflects Google’s ongoing efforts to simplify digital security for users, particularly as Rich Communication Services (RCS) messaging continues to replace traditional SMS and MMS messaging standards. The QR code approach streamlines verification, making it less intimidating for users unfamiliar with encryption technology.
QR codes could replace SMS authentication
The introduction of QR codes in Google Messages may be part of a broader shift by Google to move away from SMS-based authentication altogether. The company is reportedly planning to replace SMS codes with QR-based verification for Gmail’s two-factor authentication system in the near future. This change would further reduce reliance on SMS, which has long been considered vulnerable to phishing and SIM-swapping attacks.
As QR codes become a more common feature in Google’s ecosystem, they could play a key role in improving both convenience and security across multiple services. The beta rollout of this feature marks the beginning of what could become a standard method of encryption verification for messaging and beyond.
