Skip to main content
  1. Home
  2. Phones
  3. Mobile
  4. News

Images and videos not loading in Google Messages? A fix is on the way

Add as a preferred source on Google
The Google Messages app on the Galaxy S25 Ultra.
Andy Boxall / Digital Trends

Google Messages is a staple in any Android phone, which is why it’s annoying when something doesn’t quite work the way that it should. That’s been the case for many users as of late, with reports flooding in about various failures and slow performance. Google has just responded to these complaints, and it’s good news all around: A fix is currently rolling out.

Some users have been experiencing a bunch of issues when using Google Messages lately. It all seems to be centered around trying to view photos and videos in the app. Users run into frustrating RCS issues when loading attachments, and the list of complaints is pretty long. People notice that the app slows down or even crashes entirely; even if the app stays intact, the photos and videos are still having a bad time. Some won’t load at all; others are blurry; many can’t be interacted with.

Recommended Videos

Google’s Monika Y, a community manager, responded to the situation and shared an update. Although it’s a little light on the details, it seems like Google is working on the case.

Google Messages app on a Pixel 8 Pro, showing an RCS Chat message thread.
Joe Maring / Digital Trends

“Our team has been actively working on this, and we’ve recently rolled out updates aimed at significantly improving media receiving performance. We’re hoping you’ll see a noticeable difference now,” said the Google representative. “However, we also know that issues can be complex, and we’re committed to getting this right. Please continue to share your experiences with us.”

Monika then went on to say that Google is still waiting to hear if people are experiencing these issues despite the updates.

As noted by The Verge, the fix is likely on Google’s end, as there have been no Android updates waiting to be downloaded as a result of the fix. As such, if you’ve been getting annoyed with the media performance of Google Messages lately, give it another shot — it might be working now.

Monica J. White
Monica is a computing writer at Digital Trends, focusing on PC hardware. Since joining the team in 2021, Monica has written…
Google’s next Gemini upgrade might not arrive as soon as expected
Even Google's AI needs more time to finish its homework
google-gemini-ai-news-accuracy

Google helped kickstart the modern AI race, but staying ahead has turned out to be far more difficult than joining it. According to a new Bloomberg report, the company has fallen months behind its internal schedule for launching Gemini 3.5 Pro, its next flagship AI model, as engineers continue working to improve one of its biggest weaknesses: coding.

The delay isn't simply about polishing another chatbot. It highlights a broader problem facing Google, where massive engineering teams, multiple product divisions and increasingly strict AI safety requirements are slowing the company's ability to respond to rivals that seem happy to move much faster.

Read more
The iPhone 18 Pro Max camera could open and close like a real lens for better portraits
A leaked factory log just spoiled the iPhone 18 Pro Max’s best camera upgrade
iphone 18 pro

Apple’s next flagship camera may learn how to open and close its eye. A diagnostic log reportedly connected to the iPhone 18 Pro Max contains calibration data for a variable-aperture main camera, according to Notebookcheck.

The internal document was found among files allegedly stolen from Apple supplier Tata Electronics and released by the World Leaks ransomware group. Apple has neither verified the material nor commented on the report. And of course, Apple has neither verified the material nor commented on the report.

Read more
Messi or Ronaldo? Caviar made football’s greatest rivalry an expensive 24-karat choice
Football’s biggest debate just became Android vs iPhone
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra and iPhone 17 Pro with 24-karat gold design with Ronaldo and Messi etching

Caviar has moved football’s greatest debate onto another fiercely contested battlefield. The Android versus iPhone discussion is getting more heated by adding Ronaldo and Messi to the mix. The luxury-device company's new Legends collection pairs Lionel Messi with a customized Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra, while Cristiano Ronaldo gets an iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max. Both designs use handcrafted cloisonné enamel and 24-karat gold plating, with prices starting at $18,382 for Messi’s foldable and $15,974 for Ronaldo’s iPhone.

Messi gets the foldable, Ronaldo gets the iPhone

Read more