Google Messageshas picked up a ton of features over the past several months. Meanwhile, developers continue to grind out new and useful functionality for the messaging app, such as safeguards toreduce RCS spam. However, not all feature additions are perfect, and the app’s text field redesign is a fine example of that. Thankfully, it looks like Google has heard people’s complaints against this redesign, which first appeared several months ago.
How to enable, disable, and use RCS Chat in Google Messages
It’s probably time we moved on from the old SMS standard
Writing forTheSpAndroid, app decoderAssembleDebugreveals that the newest Google Messages beta (messages.android_20240404_01_RCO0.phone.open_beta_dynamic) contains flags that bring back the standard single-line text field. There’s an emoji icon on the left of the text field and a+icon on the right that lets you open the available shortcuts (Gallery, GIFs, Stickers, etc).
We sideloaded the latest Messages beta on a couple of our devices and couldn’t see this updated text field design. It’s worth noting that enabling flags in the Messages app requires root access, so it’s not a method recommended for everyone.
AssembleDebug speculates that Google will certainly roll out this single-line text field to the masses, indicating that it shouldn’t be long before it’s widely available. This particular redesign brings no other changes, so users shouldn’t have to worry about adjusting to new or rearranged shortcuts.
A long time coming
A side-by-side comparison of the current text field in Messages and the revised version
In November, Google was spotted working on a split text field design for the Messages app. The text field was separated by a bar, with the bottom half reserved for shortcuts. However, this meant that the text field was taking up too much space and, by most accounts, was visually unpleasing. The new design began rolling out more widely in January.
A quick search acrossRedditand theGoogle Messages support forumreveals people’s frustration with this split text field. Nevertheless, it’s good to know that Google takes user feedback seriously and is willing to make the necessary changes accordingly. Not all Google Messages updates are bad, though, with a recent Messages beta revealing how satellite-based messagingwould work even in non-emergency situations, albeit with some caveats.
