Google Messages is lastly getting this Apple Messages characteristic

In its quest to beef up the characteristic set of its RCS-powered Messages software for Android, Google seems to now be beta testing a brand new @mentions texting perform — at the very least for a small subset of software program beta testers. Over on the r/GoogleMessages subreddit, a person by the identify of aniruddhdodiya has shared screenshots of the characteristic in motion on a Pixel 10, with a small tip showing on-screen that reads “Attempt @ to get their consideration,” adopted by “They will see @mentions even when their notifications are muted.”

In its present state in model 20251103_00_RC00 beta of Google Messages, the group chat utility seems to work simply because it does on different mainstream messaging platforms: typing an @ image adopted by a contact’s identify or telephone quantity will ping the individual in query when despatched, drawing consideration to your message even inside a crowded group chat setting. It additionally appears like @point out names could be edited previous to being despatched off. It is value noting that the characteristic is linked to RCS group textual content messages — it is not accessible (and certain by no means will likely be) for SMS/MMS message chains.

We’ve known for some time now that Google has been working to introduce @mentions to its first-party Messages expertise, with references to the characteristic surfacing by way of APK app file teardowns again in Could of this yr (via Android Authority). It is unclear whether or not a server-side replace is accountable for this new rollout, or whether or not it is totally tied to the actual beta app model in query. The rollout itself seems to be sluggish and never extensively accessible throughout the broader beta testing group (as per 9to5Google).

Google, for its half, hasn’t commented on if and when @mentions are formally coming to the Messages app for Android, and so there’s at the moment no launch timeline to go off of. Whereas the characteristic may technically be canned at any second, it is look inside a beta model of Messages is an effective indication that it will make its approach to extra end-users someday within the foreseeable future.

@mentions are one among my favourite group chat options

A fast-and-easy approach to get a bunch member’s consideration

Inside multi-person group chats, @mentions are an extremely useful gizmo to have on the helm. Anybody who has been in an active group thread is aware of how chaotic issues can generally change into, and having a simple approach to goal a message at a particular group member could make digital communication simpler on the entire.

Admittedly, it is taken Google a very long time to convey @mentions to its first-party Messages app. Most different on the spot messaging companies have supported the characteristic for fairly a while, and I’ve grown accustomed to utilizing it throughout Apple iMessage, Slack, Microsoft Groups, WhatApp, Fb Messenger, Discord, Telegram, Sign, and even Snapchat.

Personally, I hope the characteristic ships in steady type sooner slightly than later, versus remaining in beta limbo for a number of months as can generally be the case with up-and-coming software program additions. I am an enormous fan of RCS texting, and I really like that Android customers can now textual content in group chats with full end-to-end encryption (E2EE), and @mentions will simply sweeten the expertise that little bit extra for me when it does formally launch.