Google Messages Introduces Delete for Everyone Feature for Enhanced Message Management

Google has begun to roll out a new feature in its Messages service that allows users to retract messages that were sent in error. The «Delete for Everyone» option has been in development for quite some time.

With this feature, users will have two choices: «Delete for me» and «Delete for everyone.» Selecting the latter will remove the sent message from the recipient’s devices as well. However, Google cautions that users with older versions of the app may still be able to view the message, even after it has been deleted.

Google Messages supports standard SMS as well as RCS (Rich Communication Services), a new messaging protocol developed by GSMA that includes features like typing indicators, Wi-Fi support, interactive elements, and more.

The Cupertino giant spent several years developing RCS support for Android devices and even encouraged Apple to adopt this technology for the iPhone. In 2024, GSMA released a new RCS standard called Universal Profile 2.7, which introduced capabilities for editing and deleting RCS messages.

In 2023, Google announced that RCS messages would, by default, use end-to-end encryption. Later, it was revealed that the company was working on a message editing feature in Google Messages.

In 2024, Google Messages introduced the ability to send photos in their original quality in RCS chats.

It remains unclear when the message deletion feature will be available to all users; for now, it is functional for beta testers of Google Messages.