Google Message app has surpassed 500 million installations on the Play Store, joining the list of few Android apps that has achieved that landmark.
The 500 million installation figure is significant because it does not require Android manufacturers to pre-install the app as part of Google Mobile Services package as seen with YouTube, Chrome, Gmail and other Google applications.
However, some Android manufacturers such as Nokia, Huawei and Google itself all have their Android smartphone come with Google Messages app as the default SMS client.
Google Messages app was launched in 2014 with the aim to allow users of the app exchange text, stickers, GIFs, pictures, audios and videos, as Apple's iMessage does.
With the 500 million installs mark success, Google Messages now joins the list of other Google apps that have also achieved the same feat. These other Google apps includes Google Sheets, Google Docs, Google Duo, Google Calender, Gboard, and Google Photos.
The feat has also landed Google Messages in the top 25 apps of the communication category in the Play Store with a 4.2 star rating.