Google Messages Redesign Brings New Swipe Behaviors

Google Messages has rolled out a new design that changes the way users interact with conversations. The redesign allows for easier access to timestamps and direct replies, but also introduces some new swipe behaviors.

Previously, tapping on a message bubble would reveal the sent time, read receipts, and RCS lock icon. Swiping left would let users send a direct reply. However, the new design flips these behaviors around.

To see timestamps, users can now swipe left anywhere in a conversation, which also displays the RCS encryption status. This is an improvement over the old system, where users had to tap on individual message bubbles to access this information.

Replying to a message has become more precise, requiring a swipe right on the bubble instead of a simple tap. The old two-circle look, previously seen in testing, has also made a return with the new design.