Encryption Protocol Updates
Google Messages now shows the encryption protocol in the redesigned Details page. A long‑press on a message reveals an “Encryption Protocol” field where 0 indicates the current end‑to‑end encryption (E2EE) and 1 signals the upcoming protocol.
Read Receipts Redesign
Since the August 2024 rollout, read receipts appear as a white circle at the bottom‑right of each bubble or image. Swiping left reveals timestamps and encryption status; swiping right opens a reply/quote pane. In January 2025 the circle’s background was changed to white, making it stand out from the bubble colour.
Camera and Gallery Tweaks
Google reduced the camera viewfinder height and extended it into the status bar, adding rounded corners. The gallery now displays two full rows of images, with a preview of the next row for some users.
Link Preview Redesign
Link previews—including YouTube links—now feature a taller cover image, larger page title, domain favicon, and a more prominent background. The article snippet has been removed to lower information density.
Image Viewer Redesign
After a June test, the image viewer was overhauled in a full‑screen layout with a blurred background. Users can swipe left/right between media, tap to view full size, and access options in the top‑right corner. The bottom row shows comments and frequently used emojis.
Image Grouping Improvements
Messages now groups images more intuitively within the conversation view, improving visual continuity.