How many times have you sent a text message and instantly regretted it? Maybe you sent it to the wrong person, maybe there was a typo, or maybe you just hit send a little too quickly.
For years, iPhone and WhatsApp users have enjoyed the luxury of being able to delete sent messages for everyone. Meanwhile, Android users were stuck with the old “delete for me” option, which only removed the message from their own screen while it stayed on the receiver’s device.
But finally, that frustration is coming to an end.
Google is rolling out a new “Delete for Everyone” option in Google Messages, the default texting app on millions of Android devices. This long-awaited feature means you can now take back an embarrassing or accidental text—at least if you’re using RCS (Rich Communication Services).
What Exactly Changed in Google Messages?
Until now, Google Messages only allowed users to delete a text from their own phone. That meant even if you cleared it on your end, the other person still had a copy.
With the new update, things are different.
- Delete for Everyone: Now you can erase a message from both your device and the recipient’s.
- Delete for Me: The older option remains, letting you clean up just your own chat screen.
The update was first spotted by Android Authority, which noted signs of this feature all the way back in February. Google began testing it with a limited group of users earlier this year, and it’s now making its way to Android phones worldwide.
How to Delete a Sent Message in Google Messages
Using the new option is simple:
- Open the Google Messages app.
- Find the conversation with the text you want to delete.
- Long press the message.
- At the top, you’ll see several icons. Next to the edit button (introduced last May), you’ll notice a trash can icon.
- Tap it, and you’ll get two choices: Delete for Me or Delete for Everyone.
If you pick “Delete for Everyone,” the message vanishes from both sides of the conversation. The only trace left is a small “Message deleted” placeholder—similar to how it works in Facebook Messenger.
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Important Details You Should Know
While the feature is exciting, there are some conditions and limitations:
- RCS Only: The delete-for-everyone option only works if both you and the other person are using RCS messaging through Google Messages. If one side is still on SMS or using an older version of the app, the deleted message might still be visible to them.
- No Time Limit (So Far): Unlike the “Edit” feature, which only gives you a 15-minute window after sending, the delete option doesn’t seem to have a strict cutoff. Users have reported being able to delete messages even hours later.
- Notification Remains: Just like WhatsApp and Messenger, the recipient will know that a message was deleted. They won’t see what you wrote, but they’ll see the placeholder.
- Beta to Stable: Early signs of the feature appeared in developer builds and limited beta releases. Now, it’s rolling out more widely across Pixel devices and other Android smartphones.
Tested on Pixel Phones
To confirm how well it works, tech writers tested the feature on Pixel 9 Pro and Pixel 9a devices.
In one test, a message was sent and then deleted. Within seconds, it disappeared from the recipient’s phone.
That’s proof the feature is functioning as intended—and it’s a huge relief for people who’ve been waiting for Google to catch up with its rivals.
Why This Matters for Android
On the surface, deleting a text message might feel like a small feature. But in reality, it’s an important step for Android’s messaging ecosystem.
Here’s why:
- Catching Up to iMessage and WhatsApp: Both Apple’s iMessage and Meta’s WhatsApp have offered unsend/delete options for years. For Google Messages to stay competitive, it needed this.
- Part of Modern Messaging: Users expect core features like message editing, deleting, reactions, and media sharing. Without them, Google Messages risks losing ground.
- Privacy and Control: Sometimes, being able to take back a message can prevent misunderstandings, awkward situations, or even security risks.
What is RCS and Why Is It Important?
To really understand this update, you need to know about RCS (Rich Communication Services).
RCS is basically the next generation of SMS/MMS. Instead of old-school text messaging, it brings modern features that we’re used to in apps like WhatsApp and Telegram.
Some of its highlights include:
- Typing indicators (seeing when the other person is typing).
- High-quality photo and video sharing.
- Read receipts (knowing when your message was read).
- Group chats with better controls.
- Reactions, GIFs, and stickers.
- And now—editing and deleting messages.
The new delete option is only possible because of RCS. It works over the internet rather than traditional SMS carriers, which means Google can add features without relying on outdated phone networks.
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Could This Work with iPhones in the Future?
Here’s where things get interesting.
It’s not clear whether this feature is part of RCS Universal Profile 3.0 (a standardized set of rules for RCS features) or if it’s something Google has custom-built.
Why does that matter? Because Apple has announced that iOS 18 (expected in 2026) will finally add RCS support. If both iPhones and Androids use the same universal RCS features, we could eventually see cross-platform unsend/delete support.
That would mean you could delete a message not just from another Android device—but also from an iPhone.
For now, though, the feature only works within Google Messages conversations on supported Android devices.
Why People Are Excited About It
For many Android users, this feature is a relief. Imagine these scenarios:
- You accidentally send a work message to a family group chat.
- You write something in the heat of the moment and regret it instantly.
- You type too fast and send a message full of typos or wrong words.
- You share something personal with the wrong person.
In all of these cases, being able to delete a message can prevent embarrassment, confusion, or even bigger consequences.
As one user put it on Reddit, “Finally! No more heart attacks after sending a message to the wrong chat.”
What’s Next for Google Messages
This isn’t the only update Google has been working on. In recent months, the app has added:
- Editing messages (within 15 minutes of sending).
- Bigger emoji reactions.
- Improved group chat controls.
- End-to-end encryption for group chats.
Google is clearly positioning Messages as the go-to app for Android users, especially since it’s preinstalled on most Samsung Galaxy and Pixel devices.
With iPhones joining the RCS party in the near future, the messaging landscape could finally feel more unified—something users have wanted for years.
Final Thoughts
The new Delete for Everyone option in Google Messages is more than just a small tweak. It’s a sign that Android messaging is finally catching up to the modern era.
It might not save you from every regret (especially those late-night confessions you only realize in the morning), but it definitely adds more control to your conversations.
As the rollout continues, more and more Android users will gain access to the feature. If you don’t see it yet, make sure your Google Messages app is updated to the latest version.
👉 Have you spotted the Delete for Everyone feature in your Google Messages app yet? Try it out and let us know how it works for you. Don’t forget to share this article with your Android-using friends—it might just save them from their next texting disaster!
