Google may finally add message reactions to its Messages app this year

The app may also let users doodle on images before sending them, similar to Google Duo.

android-messages-3-5-dark-mode.jpg?itok=

What you need to know

  • An APK teardown has revealed that Google is working on adding message reactions to its Messages app.
  • Google Messages is likely to gain a new doodling feature as well.
  • Both new features will likely be rolled out to users sometime later this year.

Google’s Messages app, with its easy-to-use interface and RCS support, is one of the best text messaging apps available for Android currently. When compared to iMessage, however, Messages isn’t quite as feature-rich. To make Messages more appealing to users, Google is now working on adding two highly anticipated features to the app.

An APK teardown of the latest Google Messages beta v5.7 by the folks at 9to5Google has revealed that Google is working on adding message reactions to the app, a feature that has been available on iMessage since 2016. Once the reactions feature is added to Messages, Android users will be able to finally react to messages like on iMessage and other messaging apps. Currently, Android users receive a messaging saying “[Username] laughed at an image” when chatting with iMessage users.

As can be seen in the tweet posted by app researcher Jane Manchun Wong, Messages users will be able to react using emojis such as thumbs up, thumbs down, smiling face with heart eyes, face with tears of joy, face with mouth open, angry face, and crying face.

Google Messages is working on Reactionswhich totally doesn’t look like Facebook Messenger at all pic.twitter.com/mHxokE89yV

— Jane Manchun Wong (@wongmjane) February 13, 2020

Along with message reactions, Messages may soon let users draw on images they are preparing to send. The feature is expected to work similarly to the doodling feature that Google Duo gained a few weeks back. Users will have access to a number of tools in Draw Mode, including calligraphy, highlighter, and marker.

While these features aren’t currently live in Messages beta v5.7, we expect them to be enabled in an upcoming beta release. It will, however, take longer for the features to be officially rolled out to users.

Best Text Messaging Apps for Android in 2020

Related posts

Latest posts

T-Mobile satellite-to-phone service opens for all, and free until July

T-Mobile Starlink service will offer free direct-to-cell satellite coverage for all registrations until July, even to customers from rival carriers.

Apple Increases Mac Trade-In Values for a Limited Time

Apple today increased its estimated trade-in values for select Mac models in the United States, with the full changes outlined

iPhone Users Can Sign Up to Try Starlink Connectivity For Free Until July

T-Mobile today announced that its Starlink satellite feature is now available in public beta, meaning anyone in the U.S. with

Watch the Apple Music Halftime Show With Kendrick Lamar — Full Video

If you missed the Apple Music Halftime Show during Super Bowl LIX in New Orleans tonight, or simply want to

OnePlus’ new health lab is a big step for its wellness technology

OnePlus's new health lab in China is officially open.

I can’t decide if the Garmin Instinct 3 is a winner or a flop

After a week with the Instinct 3, I'm struggling to decide if I should be content with more of the

Nvidia might never top the RTX 4090

Nvidia's RTX 4090 stands as a crowning achievement for Team Green, and it might never be dethroned again.

Leaked OnePlus timeline suggests at least four new devices this year

A newly leaked roadmap of 2025 OnePlus releases suggests at least four new devices this year, not including the OnePlus Open 2.

Google just opened the door for people to do evil with AI

Don't Be Evil has flown the coop for good.

The Galaxy S25 Ultra’s S Pen gets wonky with magnetic accessories on

The Galaxy S25 Ultra's S Pen might not work properly with magnetic cases attached.