Skip to main content

Google makes RCS reactions, Smart Reply sticker suggestions in Messages official

Earlier this month, Android 11 Beta testers were able to take advantage of Bubbles in Messages. Google is now making official features, like Smart Reply suggestions for stickers, and recapping other recent Messages functionality.

All these features were previously spotted in beta testing, but have been otherwise unannounced. In May, the ability to long press on a message and react with like, love, laughter, surprise, sadness, anger, or dislike first surfaced. This works for RCS chats, photos, and videos, with Google today making it official. 

Meanwhile, Messages’ Smart Reply feature will now suggest stickers, in addition to text, based on the last received reply. They appear in the carousel of suggestions just above the text field and can be tapped to send. There’s a toggle in settings to enable/disable, but it’s currently only available in English. 

Google is also highlighting the built-in editor for photos that you take directly within the app. You must use the fullscreen — and not the compact — camera UI to be able to add text and draw. It’s a basic editor with different pen tools and colors, as well as the ability to save directly to your gallery. 

Another recent addition lets you hold down on the microphone in the bottom-right corner to start recording an audio message.

More about Messages:

FTC: We use income earning auto affiliate links. More.

You’re reading 9to5Google — experts who break news about Google and its surrounding ecosystem, day after day. Be sure to check out our homepage for all the latest news, and follow 9to5Google on Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn to stay in the loop. Don’t know where to start? Check out our exclusive stories, reviews, how-tos, and subscribe to our YouTube channel

Comments

Author

Avatar for Abner Li Abner Li

Editor-in-chief. Interested in the minutiae of Google and Alphabet. Tips/talk: abner@9to5g.com

Manage push notifications

notification icon
We would like to show you notifications for the latest news and updates.
notification icon
You are subscribed to notifications
notification icon
We would like to show you notifications for the latest news and updates.
notification icon
You are subscribed to notifications