Like most Google apps, Messages A/B tests many features. However, it takes the RCS/SMS client a rather long time to actually launch these capabilities in stable even after they are announced. From various reports, Google itself, and devices we’ve checked, this is the current state of Messages.
Update 12/6:
Table of contents
Still rolling out (beta)
These are Messages features that Google announced or have been spotted in the wild by beta users.
Link preview redesign
Link previews, including YouTube, are getting a new design that has a taller cover image. The page title is also larger with the domain accompanied by a favicon and more prominent background. However, Google has removed the article snippet in a downgrade to information density. The YouTube PiP is also back, but there’s no way to open the full app.
@mentions in group RCS chats
This lets you get a person’s attention in group conversations even “if their notifications are muted.”
MLS encryption
Universal Profile 3.0 adds support for the Messaging Layer Security (MLS) protocol that makes possible cross-platform (Android-iOS) RCS that is end-to-end encrypted (E2EE).
You can check whether this is live for a conversation by long-pressing on a message and opening the redesigned Details page. The portion relevant to MLS is the “Encryption Protocol” section. Value “0” is the existing E2EE, while value “1” is the upcoming approach.
Read receipts redesign
Following the last redesign in early 2023, another revamp places read receipts in a circle at the bottom-right corner of message bubbles (and images).You swipe left to see all timestamps and the end-to-end encryption status, while you swipe left to reply/quote a message. This started rolling out in August 2024, with more people receiving it in November.
| Ellipsis | Sending |
| Single check with ring | Sent |
| Double check with ring | Delivered |
| Double check solid circle | Read |
In January 2025, Google tweaked the design to make the circular background white. In no longer matching the bubble color, the read receipts stand out a great deal more.
L-R: Current, redesign, latest
Recent launches (stable)
[New] Leave unknown group chats
Google will let you quickly “Leave group” when you’re invited by an unknown number, with options to Block and Report. This alert card above the text field explains how “Unknown sender added you” with the number prominently listed followed by how many people are in the conversation. Messages will note if anybody you know is part of the thread.
[New] Image viewer redesign
After first testing in June, Google has rolled out a redesign of the Messages image viewer. This fullscreen interface features a blurred background and the ability to swipe left/right. Your photo or video is at the center, with a tap opening the full size. Various options are in the top-right corner, while the bottom row shows comments and frequent emojis.
Google has also updated how images are grouped together in the conversation view.
Remix with Nano Banana
When you long-press on an image in your conversation or select/take a new one to send, there will be a “Remix” button in the bottom-left corner. This lets you transform it with a prompt using the Nano Banana model.
RCS must be enabled, with an initial rollout in English to: Australia, Canada, India, Ireland, New Zealand, United Kingdom, and United States. Google says there’s a “daily limit of image generations per user.”
Tweaked camera + gallery icon
A small tweak sees the gallery icon in the text field drop the corner camera. There are no changes to the combined viewfinder and gallery.
Old vs. new
Google Messages now has a fullscreen account menu to access Settings, Your profile, Archived, Spam & blocked, Mark all as read, and Device pairing. The previous overlay design allowed you to see the background, with the app now fully Material 3 Expressive.
Old vs. new
Spam link detection
If a message is suspected to be spam, Google will “warn you when you click on any links within it and stop you from visiting the potentially harmful website.” Available globally, you have the option to mark the message as “not spam.”
Key Verifier
As previewed in May, Key Verifier will “help protect you from scammers who try to impersonate someone you know” in Google Messages. This tool lets you “verify the identity of the other party through public encryption keys.” These contact keys take the form of a QR code that can also be accessed via the Google Contacts app.
For example, if an attacker gains access to a friend’s phone number and uses it on another device to send you a message – which can happen as a result of a SIM swap attack – their contact’s verification status will be marked as no longer verified in the Google Contacts app, suggesting your friend’s account may be compromised or has been changed.
In Messages, go to the Details page and tap Verify encryption to get “Your QR code” or “Scan contact’s QR code.”
- Standalone gallery
- Material 3 Expressive redesign
- Sensitive Content Warnings
- Details page redesign
- Custom group chat icons
- Delete for everyone
- Snooze notifications
- RCS status in updated ‘New chat’ contacts list
- Gallery + camera redesign with ‘Original quality’ sending
- Expanded text field limit
- Real-time and expanded Scam Detection
- Unsubscribe for SMS and RCS spam
- Double tap to thumbs up
- Text field redesign 2025
- Improved media receiving performance
- Custom profile pictures
- ‘Your profile’ name and photo settings
- “Magic Rewrite” button
- Camera face filters
- Gemini double FAB
- RCS message editing
- Group search in new conversations screen
- Full RCS Messages transfer on Pixel 9
- RCS photo with text caption redesign
- New “Select recipients” conversation picker
- Show expressive animations
- Larger contact photos
- Voice recorder redesign with noise cancellation + Voice Moods
- Single-line text field
- Selfie GIF
- Custom Bubbles and backgrounds
- Profiles
- Reaction Effects
- Revamped Contact Details page
- Photomoji
- Magic Compose
- Google Account Device pairing
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Abner Li
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