Do you remember the last time you accidentally deleted an important message in Google Messages and found yourself bitterly regretting your action? Or maybe you’ve wished you could mention a friend in a group chat to ensure they don’t miss your message. Good news: 2026 promises to be a promising year for Google Messages, with features that could make a difference in your daily use of the app.
The 3 must-know facts
Starting in 2026, Google Messages will facilitate interactions in group conversations with a highly anticipated option: mentions. By using the “@” symbol, you can tag a specific contact, ensuring they receive a notification even if group alerts are turned off. This feature, initially spotted in November 2025, will also allow you to mention multiple people at once or modify the recipient’s name for clarity. However, this option is only available for users who have enabled RCS services.
Long requested by users, the option to recover deleted messages is finally making its way into Google Messages. The Trash folder, available via your account menu under the Spam section, will allow you to restore deleted messages for a period of 30 days. This feature fills a significant gap in the app, providing users with extra peace of mind when they accidentally delete messages.
Google Messages continues to innovate with a revision of read receipts. These will soon be presented as small circles located under message bubbles. This new design will also include a swipe system offering quick access to message timestamps. Although a few users already have access to these improvements, the global rollout remains uncertain for now.
Since its launch, Google Messages has continuously evolved to compete with messaging apps like WhatsApp and Messenger. By integrating features such as RCS services, Google Messages positions itself as a key player in the instant messaging market. These innovations, which add to a long list of past improvements, demonstrate Google’s determination to offer a superior user experience and meet user expectations.