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Google Messages Undergoes Significant Change for Enhanced Convenience

Google is rolling out a significant update to its Messages app, aiming to streamline one of its core functions: managing sent or received messages. This new method for accessing contextual options is gradually becoming available to beta program participants and is specifically designed to optimize the Messages app for larger smartphone screens.

Google Messages Introduces New Floating Menu for Message Actions

In the current version of Google Messages, a long press on a message typically brings up a toolbar at the top of the screen. However, the redesigned interface will present key options in a new floating menu positioned directly below the selected content. The emoji and Photomoji reaction bar will remain above the message, ensuring quick access to reactions.

This new menu will include essential actions such as:

• Reply
• Forward
• Copy
• Add to Favorites
• Delete
• Message Info

For multimedia elements, an additional option to save the file will also be available, making it easier to manage photos and videos within conversations.

Simplified Handling for Large Smartphones

The repositioning of this menu is a user-centric improvement, primarily aimed at minimizing the need for users to stretch their thumb to reach the top edge of larger smartphone displays. This enhancement will be particularly beneficial for users with phones featuring bigger screens, improving one-handed usability.

The app also incorporates smart design for spatial awareness. If there isn’t enough space directly below a message to display the full menu, Google Messages will intelligently shift the selected message upwards and employ an animation to ensure the entire menu remains within the user’s line of sight. This prevents any options from being hidden off-screen, maintaining a seamless user experience.

Precise Text Selection for Copying

One of the most practical and anticipated features in this update is the ability to precisely copy only a selected fragment of a message, rather than the entire text. Users will be able to access this granular selection functionality by performing a second long-press on the text after the initial long-press activates the menu. Previously, a long-press would only allow copying the entire message.

This refined selection process can significantly speed up the transfer of specific pieces of information from conversations, such as:

• Verification codes
• Addresses
• Tracking numbers
• Specific instructions

Crucially, this new feature doesn’t replace the existing functionality. The option to copy the entire message will still be available through the contextual menu, offering users flexibility based on their needs.

This feature builds upon recent innovations in Google Messages, such as advanced voice transcription and other copy enhancements, further solidifying its position as a comprehensive communication tool.

When Will These New Features Be Available?

According to reliable sources, the new interface is being rolled out server-side for Google Messages beta users (specifically in version 20260731_00_RC00). It’s important to note that the timing of these changes can vary significantly, even among users running the same beta build, as Google often conducts staggered rollouts. Participation in the beta program does not guarantee immediate access to every experimental feature.

As of now, Google has not provided an official timeline for when this redesigned menu and its associated features will be made available to all users in the stable version of the messaging app. Users interested in new features like real-time location sharing often monitor beta updates closely for early access and insights into upcoming functionalities.

Source: 9to5Google, SammyGuru, Google

Opening photo: nicholasjermy / Adobe Stock

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Anuj Kushwaha

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