TL;DR
A reporter tracked user feature requests for Google Messages over the past year and identified several commonly requested additions that Google has not implemented. Popular asks include bulk forwarding, a Trash folder, payments integration, polls for RCS group chats, chat backgrounds, and clearer visual treatment for pinned threads.
What happened
Over the last year a reporter monitored community requests and conversations around Google Messages to see which features users repeatedly ask for and which Google has not delivered. The review highlights several long-standing requests: the ability to forward multiple messages at once (the app currently allows copying multiple messages but only forwarding one at a time), a Trash folder to recover accidentally deleted messages (there are traces that Google once started work on this but it has not shipped), and restoring peer-to-peer payments that used to exist via Google Pay (the payments integration was removed in 2020). Other frequent requests include native support for polls in RCS group chats, customizable chat backgrounds, and stronger visual separation for pinned conversations. The reporting also notes ongoing user frustration with RCS reliability and other existing features such as one-time password notifications.
Why it matters
- Missing convenience features can limit productivity for power users and reduce the appeal of Google Messages relative to competitors.
- A Trash folder would offer basic message recoverability and reduce accidental data loss.
- Reintroducing payments would require aligning Messages with Google’s current payments apps and regional availability, affecting where the feature could return.
- Native poll support and richer RCS features could make group conversations more interactive and competitive with other messaging platforms.
Key facts
- Google Messages has a healthy user base but does not have over 10 billion Play Store downloads like some other Google apps.
- Users can select and copy multiple messages in a thread, but can forward only one message at a time.
- Many users on Reddit and other communities have repeatedly requested bulk forwarding, a Trash folder, payment sending, polls, chat backgrounds, and improved pin visuals.
- Evidence suggests Google started work on a Trash folder at one point, but that work has not resulted in a released feature.
- Google removed Google Pay integration from Google Messages in 2020.
- Google Pay has been discontinued as a standalone app in many regions, including the USA, according to the report.
- Google Wallet currently does not support peer-to-peer payments in the same way the older Google Pay app did, complicating any restoration of payments inside Messages.
- Google Chat already supports polls, but Messages does not support built-in apps or native poll creation for RCS group chats.
What to watch next
- Whether Google publicly adds a Trash folder to Messages or reintroduces recovery options — not confirmed in the source.
- Any beta or roadmap entries indicating bulk multiple-message forwarding will be added — not confirmed in the source.
- Signals that Google Wallet or payment services will regain peer-to-peer features that could enable payments inside Messages in more regions — not confirmed in the source.
Quick glossary
- RCS (Rich Communication Services): A modern messaging protocol that adds features like read receipts, typing indicators, and richer media compared with traditional SMS.
- Google Pay: A payments app and service that previously offered peer-to-peer transfers and had an integration with Google Messages; the integration was removed in 2020.
- Google Wallet: Google’s current digital wallet app; according to the report it does not offer the same peer-to-peer payment capability the older Google Pay app did in some regions.
- Pinned chats: A feature that fixes selected conversations to the top of the message list so they remain easy to find as new messages arrive.
Reader FAQ
Can Google Messages forward multiple messages at once today?
No. You can copy multiple messages in a thread, but forwarding is limited to one message at a time.
Does Messages have a Trash folder to restore deleted messages?
Not currently; the report says Google showed signs of working on a Trash folder at one point, but it has not been released.
Can I send payments to contacts from Google Messages now?
No. Messages had Google Pay integration previously, which was removed in 2020; restoring payments would depend on regional payment app availability and capabilities.
Will Google add polls or chat backgrounds to Messages soon?
Not confirmed in the source.
I tracked Google Messages feature requests for a year — here's what Google still ignores Credit: Lucas Gouveia / Android Police | Net Vector / Shutterstock By Rahul Naskar Published 24…
Sources
- I tracked Google Messages feature requests for a year — here's what Google still ignores
- What Google Messages features are rolling out [December …
- Google Messages is finally getting 2 long-overdue features
- Google Messages could soon get a new feature users …
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