Google Messages is adding new ways to delete RCS chats.
You’ll be able to delete chats just for yourself or for everyone in the conversation.
Recipients might be notified if a message is deleted or if there is an attempt to delete a message.
Details on the New Features
Background: RCS and Current Limitations
The new features are being developed for RCS chats.
Currently, when you delete a chat, it only disappears from your device. The other person in the conversation can still see it.
New Deletion Options
Delete for Everyone: This will allow you to remove a message from both your device and the recipient’s device, similar to how it works on other messaging apps like WhatsApp.
Delete for Me: This option will only remove the message from your device, as it currently works.
Code Evidence
The information comes from the code found in Google Messages app version 20250131_02_RC00.
The code suggests that the app will follow the RCS Universal Profile v2.7 standard. This was announced in June 2024.
Potential Notifications for Recipients
Notification Details
Google Messages seems to be planning to notify recipients when a message has been deleted or when the sender tries to delete a message.
This notification feature could be controversial for users who prefer not to have the other person informed when a deletion occurs.
Code Snippets (Examples)
The following text was found in the app’s code, which suggests the following notification options:
"Message deleted by its author"
"You deleted a message"
"Sender attempted to delete a message"
Additional Information
Potential Feature Rollout
It is not yet known when Google will release these new deletion features.
However, the fact that the code has been found suggests that the launch could happen soon.
Importance of APK Teardowns
APK teardowns are used to look at the code inside apps.
They can help to figure out what new features might be coming in the future.
However, it is possible that the predicted features might not be released.
Message Compatibility
There is a note in the code saying that messages may still be visible to others if they are using an older version of the app.
This highlights some compatibility issues that may occur when the feature is released.
