4 Fixes for Link Previews Not Working in Google Messages App

Quick Tips

• Open Messages > Profile icon > Messages Settings > Automatic Previews > Enable previews.
• Sign in again to your Google and RCS account on your Android phone.
• Open Settings > Apps > Three dots in the top-right corner > Reset app preferences.

Basic Fixes

• Check internet connection speeds: Switch to 5G or a 5GHz frequency band if you have a dual-band router.
• Check your link again: Check whether the link that you want to share or has been shared to you is working in a browser.
• Force quit and relaunch Messages app: Go to Messages App Info > Force Stop > Ok to confirm.
• Update or reinstall Messages app: Install the latest version of the app from Play Store to check if the issue is solved.

Fix 1: Check Automatic Preview Settings

If the Google Messages app doesn’t show link previews, you may check whether they are permitted on your Android phone. Here’s how you can check and enable automatic link previews.

Step 1: Open the Google Messages app on your Android phone.

Step 2: Tap the profile icon at the top-right corner and then select Messages Settings.

Step 3: Scroll down and then tap on Automatic Previews.

Step 4: Tap the toggle next to Show All Previews to select it. Ensure that Only Download Data Over Wi-Fi is disabled.

Fix 2: Sign in Again to Your Google Account and RCS

If link previews are still not working in the Google Messages app, you can sign in again to your Google account and RCS Messaging. This will download and sync all your chats again on your Android phone.

Step 1: Open the Google Messages app.

Step 2: Tap on your profile icon at the top-right corner and then select Messages Settings.

Step 3: Select RCS Chats and then tap the toggle next to RCS Chats to disable it.

Step 4: Close the Messages app, open Settings, and tap on Passwords and Accounts.

Step 5: Tap on your Google account and then select Remove Account.

Step 6: Tap on Remove Account again to confirm.

Step 7: Add your Google account again and then open the Messages app.

Step 8: Enable RCS again on your Android phone. Then, check if the Messages app shows link previews.

Fix 3: Clear App Cache

This is an advanced solution and will remove all your chats, data, and in-app preferences. You will have to login again to the Google Messages app.

Step 1: Long-press the Google Messages app icon and then select App Info.

Step 2: Select Storage and Cache and then tap on Clear Cache.

Step 3: Close App Info and then relaunch Google Messages to check if you can see the link previews.

Fix 4: Reset App Settings

If none of the solutions work for you, reset the app permissions for the Messages app on your Android phone.

Open Settings > Apps > Three dots in the top-right corner > Reset app preferences.

Check Link Previews

These solutions will help if Link Previews are not working in the Google Messages app. You can also refer to our post if you are unable to send audio messages to your contacts in the Google Messages app.