Photo credit: www.androidcentral.com
What you need to know
Google is reportedly working on a new feature for Google Messages that will allow users to delete RCS chats remotely. This capability will be applicable only to newer devices equipped with the most recent RCS Universal Profile. Users will have a 15-minute window to delete RCS messages for everyone after initially sending them.
This upcoming feature resembles an existing capability in iMessage, where users can delete sent messages across all devices. As it stands, deleting an RCS chat in Google Messages only removes it from the user’s device, leaving recipients with a record of the message. This limitation has prompted calls for a more comprehensive solution, and recent findings by Android Authority suggest that such a feature is indeed in the works.
In a beta version of the app identified as messages.android_20250317_01_RC00.phone.openbeta_dynamic, the publication uncovered a user-interface prototype that includes a new option titled “Delete for everyone.” This feature parallels the “unsend” functionality available in iMessage. However, it’s worth noting that Google Messages indicates “messages might still be visible to others using older versions of the app,” implying that the utility of this feature could predominantly emerge as users gradually transition to newer versions of Google Messages.
When a message is successfully deleted, recipients will see a placeholder bubble stating “Message deleted.” This bubble is distinct as it lacks the typical white or colored background, displaying instead the conversation’s background color.
There are notable constraints associated with the remote deletion feature for RCS chats. Primarily, older devices will be excluded from functionality since the feature relies on an updated version of the RCS Universal Profile. Additionally, the deletion must occur within a 15-minute timeframe; beyond this limit, the message will be deleted only from the sender’s device. There remains an option to delete a message solely from the sender’s end within this time threshold.
While the exact timeline for the release of this feature is still uncertain, its development suggests an intention to enhance user control over messaging in Google Messages.
Source
www.androidcentral.com