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Google "glitch" turns your search request into a page showing your text messages

By Alan Friedman

Published: May 29, 2018, 5:32 PM

Android Google

You can always revoke the SMS permission on the Google app

A Reddit user employing Google search on his Pixel 2 XL, accidentally typed an extra period into the Google search bar and received a surprise. Instead of a search result, he received a page showing his text messages. The Redditor typed "the1975..com" complete with the extra period. The page that popped up is exactly the same one that appears if you ask Google to "show me my text messages." The app must have the proper permissions to view the text messages, which users can disable if they want to by going to Settings > Apps > Google >App permissions and tapping the toggle to revoke SMS permission.

Most Android devices running the latest version of the Google app are susceptible to the glitch. Those totin' an iOS device will receive the search results for the website, which is exactly what should happen to Android users as well.

Besides "the1975..com," Reddit users found another search term that resulted in users seeing their text messages. Searching for "zela viagens" will trigger the same response.

So far, Google has not issued a statement regarding the glitch.

The results of the glitch, at right, are similar to what Google Assistant sends you when you ask it to "show me my text messages

source: Reddit via 9to5Google

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Alan, an ardent smartphone enthusiast and a veteran writer at PhoneArena since 2009, has witnessed and chronicled the transformative years of mobile technology. Owning iconic phones from the original iPhone to the iPhone 15 Pro Max, he has seen smartphones evolve into a global phenomenon. Beyond smartphones, Alan has covered the emergence of tablets, smartwatches, and smart speakers.

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