Google Messages 'edit message' feature finally breaks cover; might go live soon

The long-anticipated ability to edit messages within Google Messages may finally be nearing public release. Android tipster AssembleDebug of TheSpAndroid has been tracking the feature’s development for some time, and now reports that the functionality is starting to appear within the latest beta version of the app. Previously, the feature’s existence was discovered by hints of code.

According to their findings, users can activate the edit message feature by long-pressing on a message in an RCS chat. A pencil icon will appear within the top menu bar, indicating that the message can now be modified. After tapping the pencil icon, the user is presented with a text editing box titled “Editing message.” Sending the edited message can be done via the standard enter/send button.

TheSpAndroid has also discovered some important additional points about the upcoming edit feature. Google Messages will display the prior versions of an edited message, providing transparency. So one can easily check out the original message. Further, to prevent misuse, edited messages can only be sent within a 30-minute window of the original message. This is similar to how most other platforms handle the feature.

While the functionality has started surfacing in the beta version, it isn’t fully operational yet. Full functionality likely depends on both the sender and the recipient using a version of Google Messages that supports the editing feature. Based on progress, it’s likely that we’ll see the feature in beta within the next month or two.

The ability to edit sent messages offers a safety net for typos and will allow for greater clarity in RCS chats. The upcoming Google Messages edit feature looks to provide a practical solution, with smart precautions like edit histories and time restrictions to promote healthy communication. It’ll be much appreciated by people like me, who are always in a hurry to hit that send button 😄.