Google's Messaging Service to Offer Mass Delete Feature for All Users
Sending a regrettable message in the past was a one-way street. Accidentally send a message to the wrong person or make an embarrassing typo? The message was out there, viewable until the recipient decided to delete it. But not anymore! Now, we have the technology to save ourselves from such predicaments. Many modern chat apps have options to retrieve a message after it's been sent, either by editing the message to fix a mistake or deleting it from the entire chat.
While this doesn't guarantee that the recipients didn't see the message, it does remove it from sight. If they missed it, they'll never know it was there. From WhatsApp to iMessage, numerous chat apps offer this delete option. However, Google Messages didn't join the party until recently. You could edit messages for up to 15 minutes, but deletion was out of the question. But that's changing now.
NOTE: Remember, RCS, the messaging protocol Google Messages defaults to, has had this "Delete for everyone" option since last year's update. But it appears to be rolling out slowly as we speak.
So, what's the deal with deleting messages in Google Messages? When you delete a message, you'll have not one, but two options! The familiar "Delete for me" option removes the message from your device as usual, while there's a brand-new "Delete for everyone" option. This will remove the message from all users running a compatible version of Google Messages.
But here's the catch. While the message will vanish from users who have an updated, compatible version of the app, it won't disappear from older app versions. It seems this feature's Achilles' heel is that you'll never really know if the message was deleted – unless, of course, you're certain that all parties involved are running the latest, compatible version of Google Messages.
According to 9to5Google, the feature is being rolled out slowly, first to beta users and select groups, with wider availability expected soon. If you want to test out the feature as soon as possible, enrolling in the Google Messages beta might be your best bet. Just head to the Google Messages Play Store page, choose "BECOME A TESTER," then follow the on-screen instructions to enroll. But be aware: The beta version could be a bit unstable.
To ensure success, remember these essential tips:
- Update Google Messages to the newest version.
- Use RCS for messaging.
- Apply the feature mainly in group chats (with 12 or more participants).
- Select "Delete for everyone" to remove the message for all participants.
If you don't see the option yet, don't fret! It might not have been activated on your account or chat due to Google's server-side rollout. So, keep your app updated and check back periodically for the "Delete for everyone" feature!
- Tech advancements in messaging now allow users to delete sent messages, even after they've been viewed, a feature absent in Google Messages until recently.
- Google Messages, following in the footsteps of other popular messaging apps, has introduced a "Delete for everyone" option, giving users more control over their messages.
- Although the "Delete for everyone" feature in Google Messages effectively removes messages from devices running a compatible version of the app, messages sent to older app versions will still be visible, posing an exception in its functionality.
- Ensuring success when using the "Delete for everyone" feature in Google Messages involves updates to the app, use of the RCS messaging protocol, and careful selection of appropriate group chats, with the feature being gradually rolled out through beta testing, so testers must remain patient yet diligent.