Google Messages Finally Adds ‘Delete for Everyone’ Feature – Here’s What You Need to Know

The long-awaited 'Delete for Everyone' feature is finally coming to Google Messages, putting it on par with messaging giants like WhatsApp, Telegram, and iMessage. After months of testing, Google is now rolling out the unsend option to a select group of beta users. This feature, which allows users to retract sent messages within a set timeframe, is set to become a game-changer for anyone who's ever sent a message they instantly regretted.

While this feature has already been available on other popular messaging platforms, its arrival on Google Messages is a significant update, giving users more control over their communications. Let's dive into the details of this exciting new update and what it means for Google Messages users.

A Step Forward for Google Messages

For years, users of WhatsApp, Telegram, and iMessage have enjoyed the ability to unsend messages, giving them the power to take back text that was sent by mistake or in error. Until now, Google Messages lacked this essential feature, but that’s about to change. Following extensive testing earlier in 2025, Google has begun rolling out the "Delete for Everyone" option to a select group of beta users.

The update gives users the ability to retract a sent message, but only within a limited window. This functionality brings Google Messages on par with other messaging platforms and makes it far more competitive in the ever-growing messaging app market.

How the 'Delete for Everyone' Feature Works

Users who have access to the feature in the beta version of Google Messages are seeing the “Delete for Everyone” option in some of their group chats. According to a Reddit user who reported the update, the option was visible in a 12-person group chat but not in smaller group chats or one-on-one conversations. This suggests that Google is still testing the feature and may roll it out more widely as the beta phase progresses.

For now, users can still delete messages just for themselves in both individual and group chats. However, the "Delete for Everyone" feature is a step closer to providing a more comprehensive unsend experience, which could eventually extend to all conversations.

Limited Availability for Now

As of now, the "Delete for Everyone" feature is only available to a select group of beta users who have the latest version of the Google Messages app. For users who are hoping to use this feature in personal conversations, it’s important to note that the option is not yet available for one-on-one chats. Google is still testing the feature’s functionality and could expand its availability in future updates.

A key aspect of the new feature is the time window that users have to delete messages. Similar to other platforms, Google Messages will allow users to delete sent messages within a 15-minute window. Once this time frame expires, the message can no longer be unsent.

Google has also confirmed that, like other messaging platforms, Google Messages will display a notification saying “This message was deleted” when a message is removed. This is to ensure transparency and keep recipients informed when a message is removed from the conversation.

What's Next for Google Messages?

Google has been steadily adding new features to its messaging platform to improve user experience and combat growing competition. The "Delete for Everyone" feature is just one of several exciting updates to the platform, following other improvements such as enhanced spam filtering tools and fun new features like full-screen emoji effects that add a personal touch to conversations.

Google has also been working on custom icons for group chats, allowing users to personalize their messaging experience even further. These updates show that Google is committed to keeping Messages relevant and user-friendly, while continuing to innovate within the messaging app space.

When Will the Feature Be Available to All Users?

As Google continues to roll out the beta version of the "Delete for Everyone" feature, it will likely take a few months before it’s available to all users. The same gradual rollout process was observed with the "Edit Messages" feature that was introduced in 2024 and reached a wider audience by September 2024. Given the positive feedback so far, Google will likely continue expanding access to this new feature in phases.

For now, users on the beta version can enjoy the ability to delete sent messages, but it’s important to remember that this feature is still in its early stages. Google may tweak its functionality as more users begin testing it, and it could eventually become available in all conversations, including one-on-one chats.

A Big Win for Google Messages Users

With the arrival of the "Delete for Everyone" feature, Google Messages is finally catching up to the competition by giving users the power to retract messages in group chats within a 15-minute window. While it’s still in the testing phase, the feature is expected to be a game-changer for anyone who has ever sent a message they regretted.

As Google continues to innovate and refine its messaging platform, it’s clear that the company is listening to its users and working hard to make Google Messages one of the most feature-packed messaging apps on the market. For now, beta users can enjoy the ability to unsend messages, and as the feature continues to roll out, more and more users will have the ability to keep their conversations under control.

In the meantime, Google Messages will continue adding new features to enhance the messaging experience, solidifying its place as one of the top communication platforms. Keep an eye out for the full release of this update, and don’t be surprised if even more exciting features are on the horizon!