Google finally released the Delete for Everyone feature in its RCS Messages app as the key feature, allowing the platform to become as useful as some of the popular messaging platforms. The new feature will enable users to recall wrongly delivered text messages it making the user more in charge of his/her messaging record and also increasing privacy. The Delete for Everyone option in Google RCS Messages will now roll out in Android devices that use Google Messages as a standard messaging application and feature RCS (Rich Communication Services) activated.
What is the "Delete for Everyone" Feature in Google RCS Messages?
The new feature called the Delete for Everyone permits the user to eliminate a message they have sent to someone, even in his or her own chat and the other one as well. This comes in particularly handy when you have sent something in error or to the wrong recipient.
Up until the present, users have only had access to local deletion of the Rich Communication Services Messages, namely, the message would be removed on your device, but would stay on the one belonging to the recipient. Through the update, RCS becomes more in line with its market rivals when it comes to providing a much coveted undo send feature.
How Does the Feature Work?
To use “Delete for Everyone” in Google RCS Messages:
- Long press the message you want to delete.
- Tap on the trash icon.
- You’ll now see two options:
- Delete for Me
- Delete for Everyone
- Choose Delete for Everyone to retract the message from all participants in the chat.
However, there are a few important limitations:
- It only works for RCS-enabled chats, not traditional SMS or MMS.
- You must delete the message within a certain time frame (reports suggest within a few minutes).
- Both users must have RCS Chat Features turned on and be using compatible versions of Google Messages.
Why Is This Important for RCS Users?
With over a billion RCS Messages sent daily in India alone, the introduction of the delete for everyone feature marks a significant leap for the RCS Messaging ecosystem. It addresses one of the biggest user concerns: the lack of control after sending a message.
