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Google is starting to update the Google Messages app with a redesigned text bar, as first spotted by 9to5Google. The move comes just under two weeks after the same site enabled the new text field in Google Messages using hidden code in a recent APK. Google has put a lot of effort into upgrading the Google Messages app following Apple’s decision to support RCS messaging. With RCS messaging coming to the iPhone next year, the experience of texting between iPhone and Android users will be significantly improved. If the Google Messages app looks clean and crisp, perhaps iPhone users would consider Android.
The new changes might require some getting used to for Google Messages users. Previously, the text and media entry bar in Google Messages was just one line. That pushed the text field to the right of the screen, and it couldn’t fit a full line of text. Now, the text and media entry bar takes up two lines. There’s a text field on the top of the bar, and media entry tools on the bottom. That includes the button for selecting photos, videos, attachments, emojis, recording voice memos, and more.
There are certainly benefits and drawbacks to this user-interface decision. For one, having message composition span the full width of your smartphone’s display should be easier on the eyes. Using the previous design, only a few words could fit on one line, which could be jarring. On the contrary, having the text and media entry bar in Google Messages take up two lines limits how many lines of sent and received messages can appear on your screen. The keyboard and composition fields in Google Messages will now be taller, which could require a slight adjustment.
When you’ll see the Google Messages redesign
It appears that the Google Messages redesign is rolling out slowly, so there might be a wait before you can try it out. Some users in the Google Messages beta have already started to see the new UI on their phones, but it’s very limited now. However, the slow beta rollout indicated that the redesign should make its way to all users soon.
If you can’t wait, you can always sign up to be a beta tester of the Google Messages app. However, since it’s an unreleased version of the app, you might encounter bugs or issues that aren’t found on the stable version. You also must agree to share certain information with Google, which it uses to fix those bugs and issues. But if all that sounds alright to you, it’s possible to get a preview of the new Google Messages redesign now.