Google Messages Bug Spews Old Texts Across Random Contacts

A critical bug in Google Messages has been reported by multiple users, causing old texts to be randomly attached to new messages and sometimes sent to unintended recipients.

The issue, first flagged on Reddit and reported by Android Authority, involves the app inserting old messages, photos, or verification codes into active text threads. This can lead to awkward mix-ups and serious privacy concerns, as demonstrated by users who have shared their real-world examples of the bug's impact.

One user accidentally sent a private family matter to a vet appointment confirmation, while another inadvertently attached an intimate message from a past relationship to a text sent to their mother. Other reports mention sensitive work notes and login verification codes ending up in the wrong inboxes.

Users have attempted various troubleshooting methods, including clearing the app's cache, restarting their phones, and reinstalling Google Messages, but these efforts have failed to permanently resolve the issue. A few community members claim that performing a full factory reset without restoring past message backups stopped the problem, although this comes with the risk of permanently wiping data if not backed up.