● Covered by 1 source · 3 reportsLow impact3 neutral
Google Messages rolls out new features including chat themes and iOS RCS improvements
Key points
- Chat themes allow extensive conversation customization.
- Long-press menu redesigned for message and image interactions.
- iOS 27 will enable inline replies and photo reactions for Android-iPhone RCS.
- Messages for web is transitioning from QR code to Google Account sign-in.
- Google Messages is rolling out Google Keep integration to stable users.
- Google Messages is testing a customizable attachments grid.
- Long-pressing a message allows copying part of the chat.
- Read receipts have reverted to two-circle display.
- Keep Notes integration was announced as part of the September 2026 Android Drop.
- Keep Notes integration is widely rolling out via a server-side update.
- A "Create list" shortcut may appear in the suggestions row.
- The Google Account signed into Messages is used for Keep Notes.
- Tapping the chat bubble allows editing the note again.
New Customization and Interaction Features
Google Messages is introducing a "Chat theme" feature, replacing the older "Change colors" option. This allows users to extensively customize conversation appearances with various color carousels and wallpaper options. Themes are client-side only, meaning they only appear on the user's device.
The application is also updating its long-press menu. Instead of a top toolbar, long-pressing a message or image now opens a floating menu with a blurred background. This new menu allows users to copy specific parts of a chat, a change from the previous method of copying the entire message.
Enhanced RCS Interoperability with iOS
With the upcoming launch of iOS 27, Android-iPhone conversations using RCS will gain significant new capabilities. These include support for inline replies with quotes and photo reactions that display actual emojis instead of text descriptions. This feature is currently in beta testing.
Read Receipts and Web Client Updates
Google Messages is implementing a redesign of read receipts, reverting to a two-circle design underneath messages after experimenting with a single circle within the bubble. A new variant moves the timestamp and encryption lock, making them accessible by swiping left, while direct replies are accessed by swiping right.
For Messages for web, the QR code pairing method is being phased out. Users will now be required to use Google Account sign-in for access. The QR code method remains available for a limited time.
Updates
- Keep Notes integration was announced as part of the September 2026 Android Drop.
- Keep Notes integration is widely rolling out via a server-side update.
- A "Create list" shortcut may appear in the suggestions row.
- The Google Account signed into Messages is used for Keep Notes.
- Tapping the chat bubble allows editing the note again.
- Google Messages is rolling out Google Keep integration to stable users.
- Google Messages is testing a customizable attachments grid.
- Long-pressing a message allows copying part of the chat.
- Read receipts have reverted to two-circle display.
✨ This summary was generated by AI from the outlets' reporting listed below. It is not independently verified and may contain errors — check the original sources. How BrevFeed works →
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How outlets covered it
Google Messages is rolling out Keep Notes integration, allowing users to create and share notes directly within conversations. This update provides a shortcut in the chat menu to access Keep Notes, enabling quick list creation and collaborative editing of shared notes.
Google Messages is rolling out Google Keep integration to stable users, allowing note creation and sharing within chats. The app is also testing UI changes like a customizable attachments grid, a floating long-press menu, and a redesigned read receipts display, alongside upcoming RCS improvements for Android-iPhone conversations with iOS 27.
Google Messages is rolling out several new features, including customizable chat themes, a redesigned long-press menu, and enhanced RCS support for Android-iPhone conversations when iOS 27 launches. These updates aim to improve the user experience and interoperability of the messaging platform.