What new Google Messages features are rolling out [June 2026]

Like other Google apps, Messages for Android A/B tests many features. It can take the RCS/SMS client a rather long time to actually launch new functionality in stable. From various reports, Google announcements , and devices we’ve checked, this is the current state of Messages. Update 6/27 : Table of contents Still rolling out (beta) [New] Chat theme [New] iOS 27 adds replies & photo reactions to Android-iPhone RCS Long-press menu Read receipts redesign II Samsung Messages will be discontinued in July Messages for web removing QR code pairing Read receipts redesign I Recent launches (stable) Bolder voice message button Tap to draft Selfie GIF consistently appears Encrypted RCS for Android and iPhone with iOS 26.5