What new Google Messages features are rolling out [August 2026]

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 8/8: Table of contentsStill rolling out (beta)[New] Customizable attachments grid[Updated] Long-press menuChat themeiOS 27 adds replies & photo reactions to Android-iPhone RCSRead receipts redesign IIMessages for web removing QR code pairingRead receipts redesign IRecent launches (stable)Samsung Messages discontinuedBolder voice message buttonTap to draft Still rolling out (beta) These are Messages features that Google announced or have been spotted in the wild by beta users. [New] Customizable attachments grid Learn more 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. Learn more Chat theme Google Messages is letting you more extensively customize conversations with “Chat theme.” Replacing “Change colors” from 2024, you can 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. 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. Your other eight options are static, like before. 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. More iOS 27 adds replies & photo reactions to Android-iPhone RCS 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. More Read receipts redesign II 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. Learn more Messages for web removing QR code pairing 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. Learn more Read receipts redesign I 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. EllipsisSendingSingle check with ringSentDouble check with ringDeliveredDouble check solid circleRead Recent launches (stable) Samsung Messages discontinued 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. Learn more Bolder voice message button Google now themes the voice message button with a bolder color after previously having the waveform match the compose field Learn more Old vs. new Tap to draft This new option helps reduce accidental Smart Replies. After enabling in Settings > Suggestions & Actions > Suggestions, tapping a Smart Reply will place it in the text field to allow for further edits before you manually tap the Send button. “Tap to send” remains available and is the default behavior. Learn more 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 FTC: We use income earning auto affiliate links. 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