Google Messages’ “editing” feature will reportedly roll out to beta testers

Google Messages has finally started testing the “message editing” feature, according to a report. The RCS-backed messaging app has been rumored to be working on this feature since December 2023, when a report found some flags consistent with editing messages. The feature is now said to be rolling out to beta testers who can see and use the feature. This is also a sign that Google is in the final stages of rolling out this feature and it could soon be available to all users globally in the coming weeks.

According to a report by Phone Arena, the feature was discovered in the latest beta version of the Google Messages app, which is messages.android_20240506_04-RC00.phone.openbeta_dynamiccom.google.android.apps.messaging. Users enrolled in the Google Play Store beta program with this release will now see an option to edit messages after they are sent. There is one caveat though. Currently, the feature will only work when the recipient of the message is also on the same beta version of the app.

If a user is not on the same beta, the edits will not be displayed on the recipient side. Tipster AssembleDebug also confirmed this feature on X (formerly known as Twitter) and found that the edit limit is 15 minutes. Although it is in line with WhatsApp’s editing time limit, in February the advisor claimed that the time limit could be 30 minutes.

Based on the shared screenshots, Google has added a new pencil icon that allows users to edit messages. First, users need to long press the message they want to edit and then click the pencil icon. This opens a new text box where the original message is displayed and can be edited. Once you’re done, tapping a checkmark icon next to the field will confirm the edit and appear on the recipient’s end.

It should be noted that Google also provides an edit history, which will allow all contributors to see the original messages. This also means that multiple edits can be made to the same message and users will be able to see all the different versions. The tech giant has yet to confirm the global rollout timelines for the feature.