Google Messages is set to enhance its platform with a new feature that allows users to delete messages for all participants in group RCS conversations. This update follows a previous announcement in February, indicating that the capability is now being rolled out to users.
The new feature presents two options when a user decides to delete a message: “Delete for everyone” and “Delete for me.” The latter option, which has long been available, allows users to remove messages solely from their own view. However, the newly introduced “Delete for everyone” option enables a user to erase a message that has already been sent, ensuring that no one else within the group can see it. Despite this, Google cautions that messages may still be visible to users on older versions of the app.
Alongside this development, the latest Universal Profile 2.7 brings other enhancements, including the ability to edit, recall, and delete previously sent messages for both the sender and the recipient. These updates reflect Google’s continued efforts to improve user control over their messaging experience.
Reports from beta users indicate that the new deletion feature is currently functioning in group chats that include a larger number of participants, typically around 12. Smaller group conversations and one-on-one chats have not yet received this capability. As of now, the “Delete for everyone” function has not appeared on devices that have been checked for the update.
In addition to the message deletion feature, Google is also working on other enhancements for group chats. Upcoming tools may include the ability to join conversations via invite links and QR codes, as well as incorporating @-mention functionality for easier interaction within groups.
These improvements reflect the ongoing competition among messaging platforms to offer more robust features that cater to user needs. With enhancements in group dynamics and control over message privacy, Google Messages aims to strengthen its position in a crowded marketplace.