POSTS

Insights and ideas from the world of technology.

Google Messages January 2026: RCS “@” Mentions and the New Standard for Encryption

Google is kicking off 2026 by tackling the biggest frustrations in Android texting. The Google Messages update January 2026 overhauls group chats and cross-platform security, making RCS a serious rival to WhatsApp and iMessage. I’ve tested these features on my Pixel 9 Pro, and they fix real daily pain points like buried messages and accidental sends.

Remember family group chats where your key message drowns in emoji storms? Or tapping a smart reply too fast? These changes bring sanity and polish. Here’s what matters for everyday use.

Group Chats Finally Get Sanity with @Mentions

Type “@” followed by a name in an RCS group chat, and specific people get pinged—even if they’ve muted the thread. Everyone else stays undisturbed. A “Reply privately” option on long-press threads responds neatly.

Exclusive to RCS (not SMS/MMS), it matches WhatsApp’s system perfectly. Admins upload custom icons for family photos or work logos. The rollout hit in late January via server-side flags—no app update needed for most on Android 14+.

If you’re done with “Sorry, that wasn’t for you” apologies, this makes RCS essential. Beta users call it a game-changer for 20-person threads.

Messaging Layer Security (MLS): Cross-Platform E2EE Arrives

The biggest technical leap: MLS via RCS Universal Profile 3.0 enables end-to-end encryption for group chats across Android and iPhone. Apple’s RCS started in iOS 18 (2024), with MLS in iOS 19.x late last year.

No metadata leaks or SMS fallbacks. Key Verifier scans QR codes or checks key changes to block man-in-the-middle attacks automatically.

Note: Both sides need iOS 19 or the latest Android for full MLS. It ends the “unsecured green bubble” era for groups. The stable February rollout starts with Pixels/Samsungs via Play Services.

A Menu That Fits Your Hand

Long-press any message, and options float right below: Remix, Reply, Forward, Copy, Star, Delete. No more top-screen reaching—ideal for smaller devices where thumb navigation rules.

Material You rounds edges to match your wallpaper. Reactions hover above; Gemini’s Remix edits images instantly before resending. RCS editing offers 30 minutes; “Delete for Everyone” works reliably via Jibe servers.

Smart Replies Are Actually Smart Now

Smart replies used to auto-send “OK” too easily. Now they draft into your field for editing first—add personality before sending. Double FAB simplifies: one starts chats, and one summons Gemini for thread summaries or Magic Rewrite (Professional, Casual).

Expanded fields hold 4 lines; per-chat snooze cuts noise.

Camera, Gallery, and Spam Tools Polished

The slimmer camera viewfinder overlays the status bar for cleaner shots. The gallery shows two full rows—swipe up for more—with “Original quality” for uncompressed RCS (compressed if the recipient lacks RCS).

Voice recorder noise-cancels with “Voice Moods.” Selfie GIFs add fun. Spam AI flags phishing pre-send; “Unsubscribe” one-taps junk under U.S. 10DLC rules. Sensitive warnings blur previews.

Rollout Realities

Server-side + app updates (v20260128+):

- Late Jan: Mentions menu.

- Early Feb: MLS, Gemini.

- Mid-Feb: Camera/spam.

Enable RCS in Settings > Chat features (Jibe-independent). Older Pixels/Samsungs qualify on Android 14+.

Why Google Messages update January 2026 Changes Everything

Google Messages updates January 2026 elevate to premium status. @Mentions tame groups, MLS secures talks, and UI fixes friction. Families cut noise; businesses handle spam; creators remix media.

I’ve switched most groups to RCS—it feels native. MLS matches iMessage without lock-in. WhatsApp leads status; Google wins spam AI and drafts.

Snags: Staged rollouts lag; MLS needs mutual updates. Clear the cache if stuck.