Google Messages Remote Delete Feature Inches Closer to Release

RCS has changed the way we message, and Google isn’t slowing down on improvements. One of the most anticipated features—Google Messages remote delete—is making serious progress. While it’s not live yet, recent updates from Android Authority reveal how the feature will work once it rolls out.

Currently, deleting a message in Google Messages only removes it from your own phone. But after digging into the latest open beta release (messages.android_20250317_01_RC00.phone.openbeta_dynamic), we’ve seen new UI elements that confirm remote deletion is coming. Users will have two options: remove a message locally or attempt to delete it from the recipient’s device as well.

There are some limitations, though. First, Google Messages remote delete depends on the recipient running a compatible RCS version, meaning older software may not support it. Second, there’s a strict 15-minute window to retract a message—after that, it can only be deleted from your own device. That’s a shorter grace period than WhatsApp offers, but it should still be useful for most users.

We don’t have an exact timeline for when this feature will go live, but its presence in recent betas suggests it’s well on its way. Given the pace of development, we wouldn’t be surprised to see Google Messages remote delete become official in the near future.

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