> Can you have the same identity if you change your number/carrier? Identity seems to be tied to a number (not carrier), but Messages uses Google Contacts as a

> Can you have the same identity if you change your number/carrier? Identity seems to be tied to a number (not carrier), but Messages uses Google Contacts as an optional layer of indirection. So, if you change your number, and the other person changes (or adds) the number to your existing contact, your identity is preserved (for them). If the other person creates a new contact for your new number (or doesn't associate the new number with any contact), identity is not preserved. > Can you use it not on the smartphone? Yes, you can use Google Messages for Web on a computer, but the authentication is still tied to the phone via a QR code, and I think that communication actually is relayed through the phone if the conversation is via SMS rather than RCS. > Can you use it without cellular data Eg with Wi-Fi only? Yes. > Can you throw out the SIM card and still send/receive messages? I think that the answer is generally 'no', but there are a few edge cases (eg. I'm not sure what happens if you auth Google Messages for Web on a computer, set it to remember the device auth indefinitely, and then remove the SIM or turn off the phone). > If the answers is 'no' then it is a carrier lock-in. As you can see, the answer isn't quite so black and white.