# Google Messages is Trialing a Revamp of RCS Checkmarks and Read Receipts
Reports indicate that Google is in the process of revamping its RCS (Rich Communication Services) text indicators within its Messages app, which could alter the way users engage with and perceive read receipts. The tech giant introduced checkmarks for message delivery and read statuses last year, and now it appears they are exploring a new positioning and functionality for these indicators.
## Key Points to Note:
– **Users on Reddit** have reported the appearance of new read receipt indicators in Google Messages, particularly related to RCS chats.
– An **APK disassembly** of the most recent beta version of Google Messages has shed light on the forthcoming modifications.
– Google is trialing a design that relocates the **sent/delivered indicators** within the message bubble, as opposed to below it.
– Users may need to **long-press** a message to check the time it was dispatched, based on preliminary reports.
## The Updated Design: Checkmarks Within the Bubble
Google Messages is currently testing a refreshed method for showcasing read receipts and delivery statuses for RCS chats. User accounts from Reddit and an APK teardown by *Android Authority* confirm that the new indicators will now be situated inside the message bubble rather than underneath it.
### Functionality:
– When a message is sent, an **ellipsis (three dots)** will appear within the bubble, signifying that the message is on its way.
– Following the message being sent, a **single checkmark** will show up.
– Upon delivery of the message, a **second checkmark** will emerge, overlapping the first one partially, akin to how other messaging platforms like WhatsApp report delivery statuses.
This alteration departs from the current design where checkmarks are located beneath the message adjacent to the timestamp. The updated layout blends the indicators directly into the message bubble, enhancing visual cohesion with the text.
## Accessing Message Timestamps: A Novel Interaction
Alongside the repositioning of checkmarks, Google is also experimenting with a modified method for users to access a message’s timestamp. A Reddit user in the beta program reported that to see the time a message was sent, one would need to **press and hold** the message and then **drag** it to expose the timestamp. The app will then automatically return the message to its original position, concealing the timestamp once more.
This interaction could help simplify the interface by minimizing clutter, but it might also present a minor learning curve for users who expect to view the timestamp immediately.
## A Gradual Rollout: Availability Timeline
Currently, these modifications are still being tested. Some users have spotted the new design in the Google Messages beta, but it hasn’t yet been made available to the general audience. Given that the redesign is still undergoing trials, Google will likely gather input from beta testers before finalizing plans for a broader rollout.
It’s important to recognize that Google often implements changes incrementally, so even if the redesign is endorsed, it may take time before all users can access the new features.
## Reflecting on Google’s Checkmark System
Google Messages introduced its checkmark system for RCS chats last year. This system replaced the older text-based notifications like “Sending…” and “Sent,” offering a more streamlined visual representation. The checkmarks have become an expected feature of the app, denoting when a message has been sent, delivered, and read.
The existing setup places these indicators below the message next to the timestamp, whereas the new design could position them within the message bubble, possibly yielding a cleaner and more intuitive interface.
## New Privacy Features Expected Soon
Alongside the redesign of the checkmark system, Google Messages is also believed to be testing additional **privacy features**. Among the most significant enhancements is a **Profile Discovery** option that may grant users control over who can view their name and profile picture. Users could opt to share this information with “people you message,” “only contacts,” or “no one.”
This feature surfaced during the Messages app setup, indicating Google’s ongoing focus on user privacy and customization.
## Conclusion: Future Directions for Google Messages
Google’s initiative to test a redesign of its RCS checkmarks and read receipts underscores the company’s enduring commitment to enhancing the user experience within its Messages app. By relocating the indicators inside the message bubble and offering new methods for viewing timestamps, Google seeks to achieve a more polished and streamlined interface.
However, as with any beta testing process, these updates may not be definitive. Google will likely collect feedback from users prior to making a decision regarding a general release. Meanwhile, users can anticipate upcoming privacy features that will enhance their control over their messaging experience.
As the testing phase progresses, it will be intriguing to observe user reactions to these modifications and whether Google opts to adopt them fully.
