Lately, it seems like Google Messages has improved every few weeks, and now we’re getting two more features everyone should love. If you ever wanted to unsend a message or have more customization controls, especially in group chats, you’ll be happy about these upcoming changes.

My biggest complaint with Google Messages is the lack of customization options compared to competing apps like Textra or ChompSMS. Late last year, rumors suggested the search giant was working on giving users more control, and now they’re finally here. Additionally, there’s a new “delete for everyone” option when you try to unsend an RCS message.

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Customize Group Chat Icons in Google Messages

Google Messages is testing a new way to change the icon for group chats, which is one of my biggest complaints with the app. Currently, it just shows four circles with individual profile photos, or letters for each name, and when you have multiple group chats (as we all do these days), they all blur together. It’s not very user-friendly, which is why it took me forever to finally ditch Textra for Google Messages.

Now, those on the latest Google Messages beta (myself included) see a pencil icon allowing full customization of the group chat icon. Tapping on the pencil icon, you can choose from countless illustrations provided by Google, device photos, or anything from your Google Photos. Basically, you can upload any image you want and finally differentiate your group chats.

Finally, a feature that should have been included from the beginning is almost ready for primetime. Unfortunately, it’s still a little buggy, and once you select an image, there’s no way to go back to the default look. However, you can always choose another image.

Again, this is only available on the Google Messages beta, but considering it’s a highly requested feature, there’s a good chance it’ll arrive for everyone soon. Now all I want is for Google to continue adding more customization, and I’ll be happy.

A New ‘Delete for Everyone’ Option

Another new feature currently rolling out for everyone is the ability to delete or unsend an RCS message. We first saw this under testing in February, and it’s reportedly starting to roll out in the latest update. Sure, you’ve always been able to delete a message from your conversation, but all that does is remove it from view inside the app.

Reddit user u/seeareeff reports seeing the “Delete for everyone” option in at least one group conversation, although it only worked on bigger group chats with more than 10 users. Instead of only allowing you to delete a message, the app lets you choose from “Delete for Everyone” or “Delete for Me.”

That said, Google notes that “Messages may still be seen by others on older app versions.” Based on previous reports, you’ll have 15 minutes to unsend any text message from a group RCS chat. After that short window, you can still delete the message, but it won’t be “unsent”. It would be great if we could fully edit and unsent text messages, which could arrive eventually, but it’s not an option yet.

Either way, these are two huge new features that everyone can appreciate. There is a little more customization on our Google Messages group chats, and the option to delete a message for everyone when you accidentally send something. Get the latest update on the Play Store and try it yourself.

Source: 9to5Google