Google Messages Gets New Icon and Plethora of New Features

google messages new icon

Google has brought a new update for its RCS-based Messages app with an aim to compete with the likes of iMessage and the popular, WhatsApp. Google Messages has got a new logo and features, including the ability to reply to an individual message, reminders, and more.

New Google Messages Features Introduced

First up, the Google Messages app has a new logo, which matches the aesthetics of other Google apps. This will be rolled out to people in the coming weeks. The Phone and Contacts apps will also get the same treatment. These app icons will also work with the Material You theme, which would mean that their appearance will change based on the wallpaper and theme you have on your Android phone.

The Voice Message Transcription feature, which will automatically transcribe the audio messages received, is now available for on the Pixel 6, the Pixel 6A, the Pixel 6 Pro, the Samsung Galaxy S22, and the Galaxy Fold 4, besides the Pixel 7 series.

Then, there’s the ability to respond to any message in a chat, much like it can be done on WhatsApp and iMessage. Google Messages started getting the ability to view iMessage reactions and the ability to react to a message sent from an iPhone. This is now rolling out widely.

If a YouTube video is sent on Messages, people will be able to view the video directly within the chat, again, like WhatsApp. Plus, you will now get Reminders in Messages about various events sparing you the hassle of looking for other apps to do so.

Google Messages has the ability to star important messages so that you don’t have to scroll days of chats to find that one address you were looking for. Using machine learning, the app will suggest Google Meet calls if there’s mention of calls.

Additionally, you will be able to get in touch with businesses found via Search and Maps directly through Messages. This is available in limited countries, though. Google Messages is meant to work across devices (Chromebooks and smartwatches) and should get more features in the future.

Comments 15
  • Robert says:

    I mistakenly deleted a text string. I wish the delete feature had a confirm step. Does anybody know if it’s possible to restore the deleted string of text content? I find it hard to believe that google would just throw away information like that. It has to be somewhere.

  • Ross says:

    Too many programmers on staff. They have to justify their positions with constant “improvements”.
    If it isn’t broken, don’t “fix” it.

    • Stone says:

      Exactly, but this is the mantra of the tech industry. We will get used to it even if it is worse. I’d still gladly go back to ’09 Facebook despite the fact I can barely remember what it looked like.

  • A says:

    I hate the new icon and it hurts my eyes. I want the old one back!!!! Anyone know how to find and install it so that it works properly? I tried through a launcher and failed.

  • Phil.lately says:

    A disaster for me. Now my SMS can go into a spam folder. Important SMSs about delivery information were hidden in a spam folder by this new app which has hijacked my basic SMS features that I was very happy with. I have removed the app and gone back to samsung messages. No more hidden SMS messages.

  • Melinda says:

    This icon is beyond horrible. I had to remove this message icon from the screen on my phone because this new icon looks blurry and it makes me dizzy to look at it. Whoever designed this gets a huge F for failure. Google is just starting to piss me off with their “new and improved updates” that aren’t an improvement but a hindrance. Don’t try to be like anyone else but Google. There’s a reason why I used to like Google but I can’t say that anymore.

    • Allan Clayton says:

      I get dizzy from it too!

  • M. Schwartz says:

    The new icon does not indicate when a message has arrived. Am I missing something, or do I just need to click on it again and again throughout the day to see if I received any messages?

  • Kristi says:

    Will I be able to delete a thread of message receivers on their phone as well as mine?

  • Marion says:

    I don’t need all this. Can I go back

    • Phil lately says:

      Delete the app. I then installed samsung messages. Nothing was lost.

  • triple3up says:

    This Icon is a complete design failure. The two-tone blue not only has a soft/blurry look, but it causes me to lose focus/your focus to blur when looking at the bottom part of my phone.

    Horrible.

    • Julie says:

      I agree!!!!! I don’t want to look at it! Love the features but NOT the icon!

  • Brot says:

    This new messages icon hurts my eyes. I had to switch texting apps as it felt like I was getting double vision

  • Varun says:

    Google won’t compete with apple for messaging services instead they’re competing with third party messaging apps like WhatsApp since RCS isn’t available on all Android devices (MIUI messaging app for example).

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