- Google Messages now has a delete for everyone option
- The feature is rolling out now to Android phone users
- It’ll only work for your RCS messages
Ever sent a text you regret instantly and wish it could be erased? Well, Google Messages is finally giving users the ability to delete messages from everyone’s devices – including the phones that received it.
This feature has been in the hands of Google Messages beta testers since May – and it actually was first spotted in the app’s code back in February (via Android Authority) – but now it’s coming to the global full release of the app.
What that means for Google Messages users is when you want to delete a message you’ve sent – and you’re chatting with someone using the app over RCS – you’ll see two options: Delete for me or Delete for everyone.
To find this menu, press and hold on a message, then select the trash can icon at the top of your screen. You’ll also see the option to copy or star the message if you’d rather highlight your error.
The app does note that messages might still be seen by people running older versions of the app, and texts sent to someone not over RCS won’t be deletable.
I’ve quickly given the feature a test on my Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7, texting and deleting messages to my fiancée, and it works like a charm.
Just like with other services, both of our timelines show a “Message deleted” bubble where my text used to be.
Though someone may still see the text if they react faster than you can delete it – you’ll see my messages were replied to before I could erase them – so while deleting a message can be handy, it doesn’t beat never making a mistake in the first place.
