Google Messages is Bringing "Delete for Everyone" Feature, Similar to WhatsApp

Ever sent a message to the wrong chat or wished you could take back what you said? While apps like iMessage and WhatsApp already let you delete messages for everyone, Google Messages has only offered the ability to edit sent texts. That’s about to change—Google is reportedly working on adding a “Delete for Everyone” feature, inspired by its competitors.

Teardown expert @AssembleDebug discovered code in the latest Google Messages beta (v20250131_02_RC00) hinting at the upcoming feature. It looks like it will work similarly to WhatsApp. If you delete a message for everyone, recipients will see a label like “Message deleted by its author.”

However, there’s a catch. A message in the code indicates the feature will require everyone in the chat to be using the latest version of Google Messages. If someone is on an older version, the message might still be visible to them. Additionally, while Google hasn’t mentioned specifics, the feature will likely come with a time limit for deleting messages, much like WhatsApp, where you have two days to undo a sent message. For now, this feature is expected to be exclusive to RCS chats.

The “Delete for Everyone” capability is part of the new RCS Universal Profile 2.7, introduced in June 2024. It seems Google is gearing up to support the new messaging standard, which brings more than just message deletion.

RCS Universal Profile 2.7 Brings More Enhancements

The latest RCS update includes improvements like standardized message reactions and replies. Currently, services like Google Messages and Apple’s iMessage handle reactions differently, leading to inconsistent user experiences. The update will also enhance spam reporting, expanding it to one-on-one chats, making it easier to flag unwanted messages.

Beyond these features, Google is actively improving the RCS messaging ecosystem. The company recently made progress in secure cross-platform messaging by adding support for the new Messaging Layer Security (MLS) encryption standard. This will make RCS chats even more secure.

While there’s no official timeline for when Google will roll out these new features, the fact that they’re already in testing suggests they’ll arrive sooner rather than later. Keep an eye out for updates as Google continues to enhance its messaging app.