Google Messages now offers smart features like Delete for Everyone and Notification Snooze, enhancing the chatting experience to rival WhatsApp.
Google Messages: Google has significantly enhanced its messaging app, Google Messages. The June 2025 update introduced several new features directly competing with popular messaging platforms like WhatsApp. These features notably include 'Delete for Everyone' and 'Notification Snooze,' providing users with greater control and convenience.
Google Messages becomes even more powerful
Google has made it clear that it aims to transform its default messaging app from a simple SMS/MMS service into a fully-fledged smart chatting platform. This is why the company has consistently promoted RCS (Rich Communication Services), and the new features are based on this technology.
1. Delete for Everyone: Sent a message by mistake? No worries now
Previously considered a unique feature of WhatsApp, this functionality is now available in Google Messages. The 'Delete for Everyone' feature allows users to remove a sent message from all recipients' devices.
How to use it?
- Long-press the message to be deleted.
- Click the Trash icon that appears.
- Two options will be presented:
- Delete for Me
- Delete for Everyone
Selecting the second option will delete the message from both the sender's and recipient's phones.
Note: This feature works only for RCS chats. If the recipient is using an older version of Google Messages, the message may still be visible even after deletion.
2. Notification Snooze: Mute chats whenever you want
Another useful feature added to Google Messages is Notification Snooze. If a chat is overly disruptive or you wish to temporarily disable notifications, you can now snooze the chat for a specific duration.
How to use it
- Long-press a chat on the app's homepage.
- A new window will open with four options:
- 1 hour
- 8 hours
- 24 hours
- Forever
- After snoozing, the chat will appear in gray, displaying the selected time or date below.
Importantly, the other person will not be notified that you have snoozed the chat.
Identifying RCS users
A new feature added to the chat window allows you to see which of your contacts are RCS-enabled. This helps identify contacts with whom you can utilize advanced chatting features (such as read receipts, typing indicators, and high-resolution image sharing).
Customize group chats
Google now allows customization of RCS group chats. Users can set a unique name and icon for the group, similar to WhatsApp or Telegram. This enhances group identification and provides a more personalized and enjoyable chatting experience.
Expert opinions
Tech experts consider this Google update a significant leap. It not only enhances the user chatting experience but also gradually transforms traditional SMS and MMS-based messaging into a smart chatting platform. The focus on RCS technology brings Google closer to services like Apple iMessage and WhatsApp.
Update availability and implementation
These new features are being rolled out to the stable version from June 2025. If your Google Messages app is updated and you are using RCS chat, you should see these new features.
Features not appearing?
- Update Google Messages first.
- Go to Settings, then Chat Features, and enable RCS.
- Keep the app open for a few minutes to allow the new features to activate.
