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

Google has been releasing new features for its Messages app on Android for some time now. Many of these features are still being tested and launched gradually. Despite various announcements from Google, it's still not clear when these new features will be widely available to all users. However, the latest reports suggest that the app is rolling out several significant updates.

Starting from late April, Google Messages for web users will require users to sign in with their Google Account. This was not the case previously, and now users will have to authenticate themselves using their Google credentials to access the app.

An update that has been in beta since August 2024 is the new design for message bubbles and images. A read receipt, which was previously placed at the top of the message, is now found in a circle at the bottom-right corner of message bubbles and images. Users can swipe left to view timestamps and the encryption lock icon, while swiping right allows them to reply to the message.

Another notable change is the new swipe interface for conversations. Now, you can swipe left anywhere in a conversation to view timestamps and the RCS encryption lock. To reply to a message, you simply swipe right on the bubble. The read receipts remain unchanged, appearing when you tap on a message.

The design of Messages has also been updated. Instead of a top toolbar, you can now long-press on a message or image to open a floating menu. The background will blur, making the interface look cleaner. Tapping the menu again lets you copy just a part of the chat, as opposed to the entire message previously.

For iOS users upgrading to iOS 27, Android-iPhone conversations over RCS will now support inline replies that include quotes and photo reactions. These reactions will display the actual emoji instead of just the text description. If you don't see a suggestion to "Create list," you can open the 'plus' menu to access the "Keep Notes" tile.

This will slide up a sheet with your list of notes and a "Create a note" button. Once you start a note, there will be a send button in the bottom-right corner, and you'll get a live preview of the note in the conversation thread.

Lastly, Messages allows extensive customization of conversations with a new feature called "Chat theme." This feature replaces "Change colors" from 2024 and can be accessed from the three-dot overflow menu. Themes will only appear on your device, and the red badge will indicate when it's rolled out for your phone. The options include nine message bubble colors, with Dynamic Color being the first option that adapts to the background of your chat.

You can also change the background of the conversation using the Wallpapers option, which allows you to upload your own image or choose from collections like Animals, Architecture, Black & White, Cityscapes, Landscapes, Macro, Space, Sunsets, and Textures.