a previously revealed feature that introduces a trash folder. Deleted threads will now be directed there instead of being instantly erased from your device, allowing you 30 days to retrieve the messages before they are permanently discarded. This safeguard should reduce those accidental quick presses, or as Google describes, “unintended data loss.”
There are new gesture controls for transferring conversations to the trash as well. By using the swipe action, you can individually or collectively send conversations to the bin. Additionally, you can press and hold individual messages to achieve the same result. Each conversation sent to the trash has a countdown timer, indicating when it will be irretrievably deleted. You can view this information by tapping your profile in the upper right corner and selecting Trash. The number of days remaining before a deletion will appear next to each conversation in the list. You can press and hold individual conversations to bring them back. There’s also a restore-all button available at the top.
The new feature is currently accessible and was launched as part of the app’s stable version release, version 20260327_00_RC00. This coincides with Google enhancing the app, including new real-time location sharing notifications, as well as improved methods to capture and block phishing text scams.