Google Messages is rolling out a set of new features that enhance the user experience in several ways. The update is not a single announcement but rather a collection of changes that have been spotted in beta tests, reported by users, and confirmed in official statements. This article summarizes what is currently arriving in stable, with a focus on features that change how you interact with conversations.
One of the most visible changes involves selecting messages. Instead of a top toolbar, long-pressing on a message or image now opens a floating menu while the chat background blurs. A further press lets you copy only part of the text, which previously required copying the entire message. This new interaction makes copy and paste faster, especially when you need to extract just a phone number or an address from a long conversation.
Customizable chat themes with nine color options and built-in wallpapers
Conversation customization takes a step forward with the new "Chat theme" option, which replaces the previous "Change colors" feature. You can access it from the three-dot menu, where a red badge may indicate availability. Inside, the color carousel offers nine themes for message bubbles. The first one is Dynamic Color, which adapts to the chat background, while the other eight are static, similar to previous choices. Additionally, the Wallpapers section lets you change the background image of the conversation, choosing from collections like Animals, Architecture, Black & White, Cityscapes, Landscapes, Macro, Space, Sunsets, and Textures, or uploading your own image.
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Inline replies with quotes and real emoji reactions coming to RCS on iOS
With the launch of iOS 27 this fall, Android-iPhone conversations over RCS will support inline replies with quotes and photo reactions using the actual emoji instead of just the text description. This feature is currently in beta and bridges an important functional gap between the two operating systems. Android users have long been able to reply to specific messages, but now iPhone users will also be able to interact more richly within RCS chats, making cross-platform conversations smoother and more native.
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Two-circle read receipts and swipe gestures for timestamps and quick replies
Read receipts have been subject to continuous experimentation. In recent weeks, Google Messages has reverted to the two-circle design underneath the message, after testing a single circle within the bubble. Now, a variant is being tested that keeps the old icons but moves the timestamp and encryption lock. You view this information by swiping left, while direct replies are accessed by swiping right. This pattern first appeared in August 2024 and is now seeing wide beta and stable availability. It represents a more efficient way to access information without cluttering the interface.
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Messages for web will require Google Account sign-in and the voice button gets a bolder color
For Messages for web users, the sign-in method will change: in the future, you will need to use your Google Account to sign in, and the QR code method will no longer be available. This change, already in effect since late April, aims to simplify account management and increase security. Additionally, the voice message button now has a bolder color, after previously having the waveform match the compose field. This aesthetic change makes the function more prominent and improves visibility in different lighting conditions.
Smart Reply preview to avoid accidental sends
A new option in Settings > Suggestions & Actions > Suggestions reduces the risk of accidentally sending a Smart Reply. When enabled, tapping a Smart Reply will place it in the text field, allowing you to edit it before manually tapping the Send button. The default behavior remains "tap to send", but this alternative offers more control. Furthermore, in the US, Samsung is pushing users to switch to Google Messages, and on Android 14 and later, Google's RCS app will automatically shift to your homescreen dock after the migration.
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These features show Google's ongoing commitment to improving the messaging experience, with particular attention to personalization and interaction fluidity. Users can expect many of these novelties to become available in the coming weeks, although stable rollout may vary by region and device. For those running online businesses that depend on customer communication, tools like these can make conversation management more efficient, as already highlighted in other contexts such as managing online course payments.
Source: https://9to5google.com/2026/08/08/new-google-messages-features
