How to React to Messages on Samsung Galaxy & Fix Missing Reactions

Reacting to messages with emojis is a quick way to acknowledge a text without typing a full reply. On Samsung Galaxy phones, this works in the default Samsung Messages app and in Google Messages (the default on many newer models). This guide covers how to send reactions in both apps, and how to fix the common problem where reactions are missing or not working.

What You’ll Need

• A Samsung Galaxy phone (any recent model, running Android 10 or later)
• The Messages app you use (Samsung Messages or Google Messages)
• An active internet connection (for RCS features in Google Messages)

Step-by-Step

Reacting in Samsung Messages

1. Open the Messages app (the default Samsung app, usually with a blue or green icon).
2. Open the conversation you want to react to.
3. Find the message bubble you want to react to. Press and hold on the message bubble.
4. A row of emoji reactions will appear at the bottom of the screen (usually a heart, thumbs up, thumbs down, laugh, surprised, and sad face).
5. Tap the emoji you want to use. The reaction will appear on the message bubble.
6. To change or remove the reaction, press and hold the message again and tap a different emoji, or tap the same emoji again to remove it.

Reacting in Google Messages

1. Open the Messages app (the Google version, usually with a blue chat bubble icon). If you’re not sure which one you use, check the app name in the app drawer.
2. Open the conversation.
3. Press and hold on the message you want to react to.
4. A row of emoji reactions will appear above the message (heart, thumbs up, thumbs down, laugh, surprised, sad, and a + for more).
5. Tap the emoji you want. If you tap the + icon, you can pick any emoji from your keyboard.
6. To remove a reaction, press and hold the message again and tap the same emoji (it will be highlighted).

Fix Missing Reactions

If you don’t see the reaction option when you press and hold a message, or if reactions aren’t showing up, try these steps:

1. Check if you’re using the right app. Samsung Messages and Google Messages have different reaction features. If you’re using a third-party app (like WhatsApp or Facebook Messenger), reactions work differently – usually you hover over the message on desktop or press and hold on mobile, but the emoji set is different.
2. Update your Messages app. Go to the Galaxy Store or Google Play Store, search for “Messages,” and tap Update if available. Outdated versions may lack reaction support.
3. Enable RCS (Rich Communication Services) in Google Messages. Open Google Messages → tap your profile picture (top right) → Messages settings → RCS chats → make sure Turn on RCS chats is toggled on. Reactions work best over RCS. If RCS is off, reactions may be sent as separate text messages.
4. Clear the app cache. Go to Settings → Apps → Messages → Storage → Clear Cache. This won’t delete your messages, just temporary files.
5. Restart your phone. A simple restart often fixes temporary glitches.
6. Check if the other person’s phone supports reactions. If you’re texting someone with an older phone or an iPhone (without RCS), reactions may not appear as emoji on their end – they might receive a text like “Liked ‘message’”. This is normal.

Common Mistakes

• Pressing and holding too briefly. You need to hold for about half a second until the reaction bar appears. A quick tap just selects the message.
• Using the wrong app. If you have both Samsung Messages and Google Messages installed, you might be using one and expecting the other’s behavior. Check the app icon.
• Assuming reactions work with SMS/MMS. Reactions are an RCS feature. If you’re sending a regular SMS (green bubble on iPhone), the reaction may not work as expected.
• Not updating the app. Older versions of Messages may not have the reaction feature at all.

Tips

• In Google Messages, you can set a default reaction emoji by going to Settings → Advanced → Reactions and choosing your favorite.
• If you react to a message and the other person doesn’t see the emoji, they might be using an app that doesn’t support reactions. In that case, they’ll see a text like “Liked ‘message’”.
• You can react to your own messages too – sometimes useful for marking a task as done.
• If you want more emoji options, tap the + in the reaction bar in Google Messages to open the full emoji keyboard.

Troubleshooting

Reactions not showing up at all? Try these in order:

1. Restart your phone.
2. Update the Messages app.
3. Clear the app cache (as described above).
4. Check if RCS is enabled (Google Messages only).
5. If you’re using Samsung Messages, make sure your phone is not in “Emergency mode” or “Power saving mode” – some modes disable animations and features.
6. As a last resort, reset app preferences: Settings → Apps → Reset app preferences (this won’t delete data, but it will reset permissions and default apps).

Reactions appear as text on the other person’s phone? That’s because the other person isn’t using RCS. You can’t force them to upgrade, but you can ask them to enable RCS in their messaging app.

Reactions work but the emoji looks different? Different phones may render emoji differently. That’s normal.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why can’t I react to messages on my Samsung Galaxy?

Most likely you’re using an outdated version of the Messages app, or RCS is disabled. Update the app and enable RCS in settings (if using Google Messages).

Can I react with any emoji, not just the preset ones?

In Google Messages, yes – tap the “+” icon in the reaction bar to open the full emoji picker. In Samsung Messages, you’re limited to the six preset reactions.

Will the other person see my reaction if they have an iPhone?

If you’re using RCS and the iPhone supports it (iOS 18 or later), they’ll see the emoji. Otherwise, they’ll receive a text message like “Liked ‘message’”.

How do I remove a reaction I sent?

Press and hold the message again, then tap the same emoji you used. It will be removed.

Do reactions work with group chats?

Yes, reactions work in group chats as long as all participants use an app that supports RCS. If some don’t, they’ll see text notifications.

Why do my reactions show as “Liked” instead of the emoji?

That happens when the other person’s phone doesn’t support RCS reactions. The message is sent as a text fallback. It’s not a problem with your phone.

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