Google Messages' latest feature is here to save you from yourself

Summary

Google Messages is gradually rolling out a new “Delete for everyone” text feature for beta users.
A Reddit user discovered the feature is currently limited to group chats with 12 people or more, and was unable to use it in 1:1 conversations or smaller group chats.
Users will have a 15-minute window to delete a text after sending it, the same amount of time they currently have to edit a text after sending it.

It’s happened to all of us at one point or another. You’ve

sent a text
to the wrong person, or there was an autocorrect you didn’t notice, and now you want to throw your phone out of a window in embarrassment.

Luckily, in recent years, messaging apps have started to let people unsend messages, like

WhatsApp
and

iMessage
. One popular messaging app on Android,

Google Messages
, has never quite gotten the memo, but it appears that is finally changing.

Google is introducing a new “Delete for everyone” feature in Google Messages, which allows you to unsend a text after sending it, though it is not yet accessible to all users.

This feature appears to be restricted to certain users participating in the Google Messages beta (available for sign-up on its Play Store page), indicating it will likely be rolled out gradually to all beta users before becoming available to everyone (via Android Police).

However, it’s not all sunshine and rainbows for Google’s new delete message feature, as it currently has a significant caveat.

Google Messages

Google’s default messaging application, which is installed on many Android phones out of the box. The company’s custom RCS implementation brings with it end-to-end encryption.

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You can only delete group chat messages right now

Hopefully Google expands its usefulness

Google’s new ‘Delete for everyone’ feature was first spotted by Reddit user seeareeff, who reported seeing the delete feature now available in the Google Messages beta. However, one major flaw with the feature is that it’s only available in group chats with 12 or more people. Reddit user seeareeff tried to use it in smaller group chats and 1:1 conversations but didn’t see it available.

Additionally, based on previous reporting about the feature, users will only be able to delete a message within a 15-minute window after it has been sent. So, be mindful of that if you try to use it in the future. 15 minutes is also the same amount of time users have to edit a text after it’s been sent in Google Messages.

Android Authority was the first to discover that Google was working on this feature back in February during one of its APK Teardowns. In 2024, the GMSA introduced the RCS Universal Profile 2.7, which incorporates message deletion support, likely the feature Google is utilizing for its new functionality.

Given that the feature is only available to select beta users at the moment, there’s a good chance it will take a few months to roll out to a stable version of Google Messages, like other messaging features Google has tested in the past.

I’m really hoping that when Google fully releases this feature, its capabilities will be expanded to be used in 1:1 conversations and smaller group chats.

Being able to unsend a text after sending it is extremely useful, especially if you’ve sent a typo or simply sent a message to the wrong person. However, Google’s implementation of it in the beta is currently extremely limited since it can only be used in large group chats. I’m really hoping that when Google fully releases this feature, its capabilities will be expanded to be used in 1:1 conversations and smaller group chats. Otherwise, it will be pretty useless.

WhatsApp and iMessage users can delete any text, regardless of whether it’s a 1:1 chat or group chat, so it would be silly for Google not to follow suit. Although Google Messages added the option to edit texts last year, the ability to delete/unsend a message can be more useful in certain situations.