Google Messages Gets a Trash Folder and @Mentions in RCS Group Chats

Google is rolling out two welcome upgrades to its Messages app that bring it closer to feature parity with other modern messaging platforms. Deleted messages will now go to a Trash folder instead of vanishing immediately, and RCS group chats gain @mention support so you can ping specific people for their attention.

A Safety Net for Deleted Messages

Until now, deleting a message in Google Messages was permanent and irreversible. The new Trash folder changes that by holding deleted messages for 30 days before permanently removing them. It works the same way trash folders function in Gmail, Google Photos, and most other modern apps — giving you a window to recover something you deleted by accident.

The feature is rolling out now and should appear as a new option in the Messages app menu. Google confirmed the change in a support thread, noting that the previous delete action is being replaced entirely by the move-to-trash behavior.

@Mentions Come to RCS Groups

The second update is targeted at RCS group chats, which have been steadily gaining features since Google made RCS the default messaging protocol on Android. You can now type the @ symbol followed by a contact's name to mention them directly. The mentioned person will receive a notification, making it easier to get someone's attention in busy group conversations without resorting to a separate direct message.

This brings Google Messages in line with what apps like WhatsApp, Telegram, and iMessage have offered for years. It is a small but meaningful quality-of-life improvement for anyone who relies on group texts.

Our Take

These are not flashy features, and that is exactly why they matter. A trash folder for messages is one of those things that should have existed from day one — the fact that deleted texts were gone forever was a genuine usability gap. The @mention feature is similarly overdue but signals that Google is serious about making RCS group chats a real competitor to dedicated messaging apps. Combined with the recent news that Samsung Galaxy S26 will support AirDrop through Quick Share, Android's messaging ecosystem is maturing fast.

Key Takeaways

• Deleted messages in Google Messages now go to a Trash folder with a 30-day recovery window
• RCS group chats support @mentions with notifications for the tagged person
• Both features are rolling out now to Google Messages users
• The updates bring Google Messages closer to feature parity with WhatsApp and Telegram