First look: Google Messages’ Trash feature adds a safety net for your chats
Source: Android Authority
TL;DR
- Google Messages is introducing a new Trash feature that stores deleted chats for 30 days before permanently deleting them.
- Users can restore or permanently delete individual or all trashed conversations from the dedicated Trash section.
- “Delete” actions across the app are replaced with “Trash,” preventing immediate, irreversible chat deletions.
Background
Back in October, we spotted Google working on a Trash feature for Google Messages. The idea was to move conversations to a separate Trash section where they would remain for a few days before being permanently deleted. At the time, concrete details were lacking.
The New Trash Feature
With the latest Google Messages beta (v20260227), the Trash feature replaces the existing Delete action, which previously removed chats instantly with no recourse.
How It Works
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Moving chats to Trash
- Long‑press one or multiple chats.
- Tap the Delete button.
- A pop‑up informs you that the chats will be moved to Trash and deleted after 30 days.
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Trash section
- All trashed conversations appear in the Trash section of the account switcher.
- A banner at the top reminds users of the 30‑day holding period.
- Buttons: Restore all and Delete all chats allow bulk restoration or permanent deletion.
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Individual restoration or deletion
- Long‑press a specific chat in Trash and tap the appropriate button to restore or permanently delete it.
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In‑conversation options
- Inside a conversation, the three‑dot menu now shows a Trash button instead of Delete.
- Swipe actions also use Trash instead of Delete.
Impact
- Users can no longer delete a chat permanently right away, providing a grace period to undo accidental deletions.
- Some users may prefer the previous instant‑delete behavior, but the two‑step process adds a safety net.
Rollout
Google is currently rolling out the Trash option to a limited set of users on the new beta version, with a wider rollout expected soon.
Disclaimer
⚠️ An APK teardown helps predict features that may arrive on a service in the future based on work‑in‑progress code. However, it is possible that such predicted features may not make it to a public release.