Google Messages is steadily becoming a worthy competitor to Apple Messages, thanks to a continuous stream of new features. The latest game-changer? The ability to completely unsend messages, preventing those awkward moments caused by wrongly sent texts. This feature, previously in beta testing, is now rolling out to a wider Android user base.
This “Delete for everyone” functionality replaces the older, less effective delete option, where deleted messages were still visible to recipients. Now, senders can completely erase messages from both peer-to-peer and group chats. A Redditor, seeareeff, initially spotted this update (via 9to5Google), though the specific Google Messages version required remains unclear. It appears to be a server-side switch, as updating to the latest version doesn’t guarantee access.
Google Messages Delete for everyone.
Importantly, this feature only works with RCS (Rich Communication Services) chats. RCS is a modern, internet-based messaging protocol that Google hopes will replace traditional SMS. Apple’s adoption of RCS has been a challenge, however. For the unsend feature to function, everyone in the chat must have RCS enabled. This is also a prerequisite for features like message reactions and typing indicators. Updating Google Messages to the latest version is also crucial, as older versions might still display deleted messages to some participants.
RCS’s cross-platform nature suggests this feature should theoretically work seamlessly with Apple Messages, especially since Apple recently incorporated RCS alongside its iMessage protocol. However, this requires the other party to have updated their iPhone or iPad to iOS 18. Further complications may arise as some users might need to set up RCS in Google Messages’ settings, and not all telecom carriers support it.
With Google Messages solidifying its position as the default Android messaging app, we anticipate Google will continue pushing for wider RCS adoption and standardization. This latest unsend feature marks another significant step toward a more robust and user-friendly messaging experience.
