Google Messages Introduces Mentions and a Trash Folder

Following a period of beta testing, Google Messages has officially announced two significant new features for its messaging app: Mentions for group chats and a new Trash folder for deleted conversations. It's important to note that, despite the official announcement, these features are not yet widely available to all users.

Mentions: Better Notifications for Group Chats

The new Mentions feature is designed to improve communication in RCS group chats. It allows users to tag specific individuals by using the "@" symbol.

When a user is mentioned, they receive a notification, even if the group chat is muted.

This functionality aims to ensure that important messages directed at specific people are not missed. Users can mention multiple people in a single message and have the ability to edit the saved name of a recipient directly within the text field.

Trash Folder: A Safety Net for Deleted Messages

The update replaces the previous immediate delete action with a new "Move to Trash" option, which includes a quick "Undo" function for recently moved conversations.

Conversations sent to the Trash folder are retained for 30 days, or 7 days on Android Go phones to conserve space, before being permanently deleted.

The Trash folder is accessible via the top-right corner profile menu, located beneath the Archive option. From there, users can restore threads to their main inbox with their full history intact or choose to permanently empty the Trash at any time.