Like other Google apps, Messages for Android A/B tests many features. It can take the RCS/SMS client a rather long time to actually launch new functionality in stable. From various reports, Google announcements, and devices we’ve checked, this is the current state of Messages.

Update 9/7:

These are Messages features that Google announced or have been spotted in the wild by beta users.

Google is testing two designs, with the one on the right taking up more of your screen.

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Instead of a top toolbar, long-pressing on a message or image opens a floating menu as the background blurs. Another press lets you copy just a part of the chat. Previously, you had to copy the entire message.

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When iOS 27 launches this fall, Android-iPhone conversations over RCS will gain support for inline replies that include quotes, as well as photo reactions with the actual emoji instead of just the text description. This feature is currently in beta.

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In recent weeks, Google Messages has mostly reverted to the two-circle read receipts underneath the message design after trying a single circle within the bubble.

Google is now testing a variant that uses the old icons but moves the timestamp and encryption lock. You now view that information by swiping left, with direct replies accessed by a right swipe.

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Going forward, Messages for web users will have to use Google Account sign-in. As of late April, the QR code method is still available.

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Read receipts are now placed in a circle at the bottom-right corner of message bubbles and images. You swipe left to see timestamps and the encryption lock, while you can swipe right to reply. This first started appearing in August of 2024, but is now seeing wide beta and stable availability.

The new Google Keep integration lets you quickly create and share notes inside chats. If you don’t see a contextual suggestion to “Create list,” open the ‘plus’ menu for a new “Keep Notes” tile.

This will slide up a sheet that shows your list of notes and the “Create a note” button. Upon selecting or starting a note, you’ll see a send button in the bottom-right corner. Afterward, there’s a live preview in the conversation thread.

As of early September, Google Messages is still rolling out the Keep integration.

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Google Messages now lets you extensively customize conversations with a “Chat theme.” Replacing “Change colors” from 2024, you access this new option from the three-dot overflow menu. Be on the lookout for a red badge when this is rolled out for your phone. Themes will only appear on your device.

The Colors carousel themes message bubbles. There are nine options, with Dynamic Color being the first option and responding to the background of your chat.

The Wallpapers option lets you change the background of the conversation. In addition to uploading your own image, Google provides the following collections: Animals, Architecture, Black & White, Cityscapes, Landscapes, Macro, Space, Sunsets, and Textures.

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In the US, Samsung is having users switch to Google Messages. On Android 14+, Google’s RCS app will “automatically shift” to your homescreen dock after the move. 

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• Bolder voice message button
• Smart Replies: Tap to draft
• Selfie GIF consistently appears
• Encrypted RCS for Android and iPhone with iOS 26.5
• Trash folder
• Real-time location sharing
• @mentions in group RCS chats
• Gemini-powered Scam Detection
• Edit History in Details page
• Toned down Nano Banana Remix
• Camera tweaks
• Bigger Gemini FAB
• Link preview redesign
• Leave unknown group chats
• Image viewer redesign
• Remix with Nano Banana
• Tweaked camera + gallery icon
• Account menu redesign
• Spam link detection
• Key Verifier
• 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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