Summary
- Google Messages will soon display the download size of voice notes and audio files, helping users decide whether to download over mobile data or Wi-Fi.
- Received voice notes and audio files will be highlighted with a grayed-out media player indicating they are downloading or yet to be downloaded.
- A subtle new animation will be added when opening the gallery to attach media, providing a smoother user experience.
In the world of messaging apps, Google Messages is the people’s champ.
The application has played a major role in popularizing RCS in the US, with new features to further boost the standard always on the drawing board. Late last month, for example, Google Messages users finally began seeing RCS labels next to names on their contact list. Said contacts also stand out with dynamic color theming, making it easier to find out which contacts have RCS enabled and which ones don’t — essentially boosting RCS adoption as a byproduct.
It’s important to note that even though RCS support is Google Messages’ backbone, it alone isn’t enough to define the platform, and that is precisely why Google is also testing out a Material 3 Expressive redesign for the app. The redesign should keep the app fresh, all while bringing new features like a swipe-through media viewer and a media overview section in tow.
But the scope is bigger — the tech giant is also testing out functional and quality of life changes to how voice notes and audio files appear.
Highlighted by Android Authority after digging into Google Messages v20250602_05_RC00 beta, it looks like the application will soon start highlighting received voice notes and audio files as a grayed-out media player. This would denote that the file is yet to be downloaded or is currently being downloaded.
The same UI would also highlight the download size of said audio files, which should help users make informed decisions about downloading over mobile data versus Wi-Fi — especially for larger audio files.
A cleaner gallery animation is on the way too
Elsewhere, the beta app build also highlights a minor animation change that is expected to land with a future build of the app.
Currently, when you tap the gallery icon to attach an image to a chat, or to access the camera, the gallery UI simply appears on the screen. This could soon change, with the UI smoothly transitioning up from the bottom. It’s a subtle change for sure, but still noticebale, especially if you’re a heavy Google Messages user.
