Google Messages may start letting you delete embarrassing text messages — here’s how

Google Messages on an Android phone screen
(Image credit: Shutterstock)

We’ve all been in a situation where we send a message and immediately wish we could take it back. For many of the best chat apps this isn’t a problem, since you can just delete the message for everyone. Google Messages isn’t one of those apps, but it sounds like it won’t be that way for long.

According to AssembleDebug, the latest version of the Google Messages beta contains code and strings referencing “Delete for everyone”. This suggests that Google is getting ready to roll out a way for users to delete messages they send from everyone’s feed.

Right now deleting a message only removes it from your own feed, but still leaves it visible to everyone else in the chat. You do have the option to edit messages after they’re sent, but that isn’t quite as satisfying as being able to completely erase a message.

AssembleDebug says that any deleted messages will be replaced with a piece of text stating that “Message deleted by its author”. Which is exactly how WhatsApp does things. However, code does suggest this feature may not work on older versions of Google Messages. So you still need to be extra careful what you send, just in case someone is still able to see it.

Naturally this would be limited to RCS chats, rather than SMS. Those are permanent, and the only way to delete those from someone else’s phone is to physically delete it on their actual phone. The code strings also don’t mention a time limit on the deletion, but it’s pretty likely that you won’t be able to delete messages indefinitely. WhatsApp limits you to 2 days, while Apple’s iMessage lets you “unsend” within the first 2 minutes.

Android Police points out that deleting sent texts is a feature from RCS Universal profile 2.7, which was released last June. So it speculates that Google is prepping Google Message to support the new standard with this, and possibly other features. Those added features include standardized replies and reactions, while also offering improved spam reporting.

Sadly there’s no timeline on when Google might roll out these features to Google Messages. So we’ll just have to be patient, and see what happens in the coming months.

More from Tom's Guide

Tom Pritchard
UK Phones Editor

Tom is the Tom's Guide's UK Phones Editor, tackling the latest smartphone news and vocally expressing his opinions about upcoming features or changes. It's long way from his days as editor of Gizmodo UK, when pretty much everything was on the table. He’s usually found trying to squeeze another giant Lego set onto the shelf, draining very large cups of coffee, or complaining about how terrible his Smart TV is.

Read more
Google Messages
Google Messages could soon copy one of the best WhatsApp features
Google Messages
Users can now pick which profile image will appear in Google Messages — here’s how
Google Photos icon on phone
Google Photos rumored upgrade will help millions of users — this will save you time
A man staring at a phone with the Google Photos logo on it
Google Photos will soon make clearing your pictures way easier — here’s how
Google Photos icon on phone
Google could finally fix an annoying limitation with Google Photos — here's what we know
Satellite SOS
We just got our first look at satellite messaging on Android phones — here it is
Latest in Android Phones
android 16 logo on a samsung galaxy smartphone
One of Apple’s most controversial AI features could be coming to Android phones
Google Pixel 9a render
Google Pixel 9a pre-orders could come with a free Google TV Streamer — what we know
Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra
Older Samsung phones are finally getting One UI 7 — here's all the devices
android 16 logo on a samsung galaxy smartphone
Android 16 beta 3 arrives today — all the newest features
Try Galaxy home screen on iPhone 16 Pro Max
You can now try Samsung's latest One UI 7 software on your iPhone — here's how
Genshin Impact on a OnePlus Nord 4
Genshin Impact on Android finally adds controller support — 4 years after iOS
Latest in News
Jason Sudeikis as Ted Lasso in Ted Lasso season 3
‘Ted Lasso’ season 4 is official — here’s what Jason Sudeikis revealed
Nintendo Switch 2
Nintendo Switch 2 shipments rumor hints at possible release window
android 16 logo on a samsung galaxy smartphone
One of Apple’s most controversial AI features could be coming to Android phones
iPhone 17 Pro render
iPhone 17 Pro Max leak claims it’s ready for production — and seems to confirm its new design
Cristin Milioti in "Black Mirror" season 7 coming to Netflix
‘Black Mirror’ season 7 trailer teases some of the darkest episodes yet — here’s when you can stream it
Google Gemini vs GPT 4o
ChatGPT just got a massive update that lets you replace Gemini on your Android phone