Google Messages is finally catching up with WhatsApp and iMessage by introducing a long-awaited feature: the ability to delete sent texts not only from your device but also from the recipient’s phone.
Thanks to Rich Communication Services (RCS), users now have a brief window to undo embarrassing mistakes or accidental messages.
With the latest update, when you delete a recently sent message, you’ll see two choices: “Delete for me” and “Delete for everyone.” Choosing the latter wipes the text from both devices, provided it’s done within the first 15 minutes. This move helps solve one of the biggest frustrations in modern messaging-sending something you regret and having no way to fix it.
Google has been testing this capability for months, and it’s now rolling out broadly. While the feature offers relief, it does come with caveats. If the recipient has already read the message or taken a screenshot, there’s no way to undo that. Still, the update marks a major improvement in user control and privacy as Google pushes RCS further into the mainstream.
For millions who rely on Google Messages as their primary chat app, this update provides peace of mind. Though it can’t erase every slip-up, having the option to remotely delete texts makes conversations more flexible and less stressful.