Disable iMessage reaction notifications on Android

iMessage is a good service, if you are using an Apple device. When an iPhone user responds to a message with a "like" or "laugh," Android users receive a separate text announcing the action. It's pretty boring.

The problem with iMessage reactions on Android

Here's what happens: The iPhone user selects the phrase “like” in a conversation. They - and other iMessage users in the conversation - see a thumbs-up emoji on the message. Android users, however, receive a new message from this person that reads 'Liked' [message contents]. " 

So what can you do to stop receiving these annoying messages? Well, nothing, really. You cannot block them completely or remove them from the conversation. However, there is something we can do to stop receiving notifications for them.

How to stop iMessage reaction notifications

We will be using an application called "MacroDroid" to target notifications of these reactions. We will enter keywords to identify these messages, then MacroDroid will immediately dismiss the notification if it matches. That way you won't be bothered by them.

First of all, download MacroDroid from the Google Play Store on your Android device. Open the app and go through the introduction and announcement of the Pro version.

Select "Add macro" to start setting things up.

The first thing to do is to create the "Trigger". Press the "+" button to continue.

Expand the “Device Events” category and select “Notification”. You will need to grant access to app notifications.

Select "Notification received" and press "OK".

Choose "Select applications" and press "OK".

This is where you'll want to select which app you're using for text messaging. Press "OK" after making your choice.

Leave everything as is and press "OK".

With the trigger done, we can choose the action. Press the "+" button on the "Actions" card.

Expand the "Notification" category and select "Clear notifications".

Choose "Select applications" and press "OK".

Select your messaging application again and press “OK”.

Next, we'll configure which notifications to ignore. At the time of writing in October 2021, there were five iMessage reactions: Liked, Liked, Hated, Laughed, Accented and Asked. When a text includes these keywords, we want MacroDroid to reject it.

Select "Contains," then enter one of these five sentences in the text box. It is important to include the quotation mark after the sentence. This is what distinguishes it from a simple text containing these sentences.

• Love " 
• I did not like " 
• Laughed at " 
• Underline " 
• Interrogates " 

Repeat this until you have five actions, each with one of the above sentences. Give the macro a name, then press the "+" button to save it.

That's it! When it works, you usually won't notice a thing. Notifications are ignored before you can see them. Sometimes it can take a second to get fired, but it's usually very quick and you will never notice a thing.

These messages will always appear in text conversations, of course. You just won't be bothered by the notifications for them.

Now solve your iMessage problems, Apple. It shouldn't be that hard.

How to turn off and turn off iMessage on iPhone or iPad

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