Google Messages adds feature to delete sent messages for all users

Google Messages now lets you delete text messages not only from your own device but also from recipients' screens, Android Authority reports. The feature is made possible thanks to support for the RCS (Rich Communication Services) protocol, which allows for more flexible message management.

Development of the feature began in early 2025. In February, references to a new "Delete for Everyone" option appeared in the app's code, complementing the existing "Delete for Me." The feature began testing with beta users in May, and this week it became available to the general public.

To use the new feature, a user must highlight a sent message in an RCS chat, click the trash can icon, and select one of the deletion options. The feature works in both group chats and one-on-one conversations, provided that all participants are using compatible software.

It is worth noting that the delete feature only works for a limited time for all users — approximately 15 minutes after sending a message. Its implementation demonstrates Google's desire to keep up with other messengers, such as iMessage and WhatsApp, which already have this feature.