Google is updating its Messages app on Android with a fresh design and several new features that aim to make conversations more expressive and personal. The focus is on the chat screen, where users now have more creative ways to interact beyond plain text or standard emojis. Most of these updates rely on RCS (Rich Communication Services), the modern protocol Google has been championing as an upgrade over SMS.
Key Takeaways
- Google Messages now features a cleaner and updated chat design
- Screen Effects animate the entire screen based on certain phrases
- Photomoji turns your own photos into custom reactions or stickers
- Voice Moods add colorful backgrounds and emojis to voice messages
- Custom chat bubble colors are now available for individual conversations
The most noticeable change is the redesigned conversation window. While the overall chat list still looks familiar, once you open a conversation it feels more spacious and modern. The bigger shift comes from the expressive tools that have been added.
Screen Effects are one of the highlights. If you type phrases like “it’s snowing” or “I love you,” a full-screen animation appears for both people in the chat. It is a small but fun feature, something similar to what other messaging apps have offered, and there are already more than 15 hidden trigger phrases to discover.
Photomoji is another addition that stands out. You can take a photo from your gallery, let Google’s AI cut out a person or object, and then use that as a reaction or a sticker. It allows for responses that feel a bit more personal compared to standard emojis.
Voice messages also get an upgrade with Voice Moods. When you record a clip, the app now generates a colorful background paired with an emoji that reflects the tone of your voice. It makes voice notes more engaging and visually tied to emotion.
Personalization is going even further with Custom Bubbles. You can now choose different colors for chat bubbles and backgrounds in individual RCS conversations. Some emojis also come to life with subtle animations when sent on their own, giving everyday chats a little extra character.
All of these changes build on the foundation of RCS, which enables features like typing indicators, read receipts, and higher quality media sharing. The rollout is happening gradually, so not everyone will see the redesign right away. But once it arrives, Google Messages should feel more expressive and modern than before.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1. What is RCS and do I need it for these new features?
A1. RCS stands for Rich Communication Services. It’s the modern replacement for SMS. Yes, almost all of the new expressive features like Screen Effects, Photomoji, and Custom Bubbles require both you and the recipient to have RCS chats enabled in Google Messages.
Q2. When will I receive the Google Messages update?
A2. The update is rolling out gradually. Google releases such updates in waves, so it might take a few days or weeks to reach your device. Make sure your Google Messages app is updated to the latest version from the Play Store.
Q3. How do I use Photomoji?
A3. To create a Photomoji, long-press a message to bring up the reaction menu. Select the option to create a custom one, which will let you pick a photo from your gallery. Google AI will help you crop the subject, which you can then use as a reaction.
Q4. Do these Screen Effects work on all messages?
A4. No, Screen Effects are triggered by specific keywords and phrases in English for now. For example, typing “happy birthday” might show a confetti animation.
Q5. Will these features work when I message an iPhone user?
A5. No. iPhone’s iMessage does not support RCS. When you message an iPhone user from Google Messages, the conversation falls back to the old SMS/MMS standard, which does not support any of these new expressive features.
