Google Messages is evolving, but not all users are on the same page! The app's A/B testing strategy means new features take time to reach everyone. Here's the latest as of January 2026:
Still in Beta:
- A new long-press menu is being tested, offering a floating menu with a blurred background and haptic feedback when you long-press on an image or message.
- The Nano Banana Remix feature has been toned down, removing the banana emoji and moving the 'Remix' button to the bottom of the screen.
- @mentions in group RCS chats allow you to grab someone's attention even if they've muted notifications.
- MLS encryption, part of Universal Profile 3.0, enables cross-platform (Android-iOS) RCS with end-to-end encryption. Check the 'Encryption Protocol' section on the Details page to see if it's live.
- Read receipts have been redesigned, now appearing in a circle at the bottom-right of message bubbles. Swipe left for timestamps and encryption status, and right to reply or quote.
Recently Launched:
- Camera tweaks include a reduced height for the viewfinder, extending into the status bar with rounded corners. The gallery shows two full rows of images, sometimes with a glimpse of the next row.
- The Gemini FAB (floating action button) is now larger, matching the 'Start chat' FAB when scrolling, due to Material 3 Expressive's deprecation of the smaller size.
- Link previews have a new look with taller cover images, larger titles, and more prominent backgrounds. However, Google removed the article snippet, reducing information density.
- YouTube Picture-in-Picture is back, but you can't open the full app directly. You need to fullscreen the video in Messages first.
- You can now quickly leave group chats from unknown numbers and block or report them. An alert card explains the unknown sender and the number of participants.
- The image viewer has a new fullscreen design with a blurred background, swipe navigation, and options for comments and emojis.
But here's where it gets controversial: some users might prefer the old designs and features. What's your take on these changes? Do you think Google is moving in the right direction with these updates, or are they missing the mark? Share your thoughts in the comments!
