In the redesigned Google Messages layout reported in September 2026, swipe left in a conversation to reveal timestamps and RCS encryption status, and swipe right directly on a message bubble to reply. The change is rolling out, so your app may still use the previous gestures. Long-pressing a message remains the dependable way to reach its action menu.
How do I see timestamps and encryption status?
In the reported new layout, swipe left within a conversation to reveal message timestamps and RCS encryption status. The September 25, 2026 report described the change in Google Messages build 20260910_03_RC02, but said it was rolling out; having that build number does not guarantee the same interface for every user. 9to5Google reported the updated gesture mapping.
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In the earlier layout described by that report, tapping a message showed its sent time, read receipts, and an RCS lock icon. The newer layout moves timestamp access to a left swipe. A tap may still show read receipts, according to the September report, though the exact presentation can vary as the interface changes.
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How do I swipe to reply in Google Messages?
With the reported new layout, swipe right directly on the message bubble you want to answer. Messages quotes that selected message in the reply context. This differs from the earlier layout, where a left swipe was used for direct reply; if swiping right does nothing, your account may not have received the redesign.
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What happens when I long-press a message?
Touch and hold a message to open its quick-action menu and emoji reactions. Google documents this feature for text, images, videos, links, files, locations, and contact cards—not just RCS chats. Google’s message-actions guide lists actions that can include reacting, replying, forwarding, copying, starring, deleting, selecting additional messages, and viewing message information. The choices depend on the message and conversation.
- Edit: For a sent message, Google says the Edit action appears in the menu within 15 minutes of sending.
- Copy part of a text: Google also documents selecting a specific portion, such as a phone number or one-time password, to copy it.
- Message information: Use this when you need details about a selected message; status information can depend on the conversation and its capabilities.
How do I find read receipts or message details?
Try tapping the sent message to see delivery or read markers in an RCS conversation. A September 2026 report says tapping can still reveal read receipts, but the controls and their presentation are changing. If you need the action menu for a particular message, touch and hold it, then choose the relevant option if it appears.
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What other gestures and shortcuts are available?
Conversation information and participants
Tap the conversation’s profile image or name to open conversation information, participant details, or settings. In a group conversation, tapping a participant’s name above one of their messages may open that person’s information and contact actions.
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Press and hold the send button to open message scheduling. The phone must be on and connected when the scheduled time arrives for the message to send.
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Conversation-list actions
Swiping a conversation row left or right can perform actions such as archiving, deleting, or marking it unread. The available actions may differ by version and can be configured under Messages settings > Swipe actions. Press and hold a conversation row to select it and access available actions, which may include pin, snooze, archive, delete, mark unread, or block. Tapping a sender’s profile image beside a conversation can offer shortcuts to message, call, or view the contact, depending on whether the person is saved. These list gestures act on the conversation row, not an individual message bubble. Computerworld’s Google Messages guide describes these shortcuts.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.What should I try if the gestures do not match?
- In a conversation, try swiping left to check whether timestamps and RCS encryption status appear.
- Swipe right directly across a message bubble to test the reported direct-reply gesture.
- If the new swipe mapping is absent, tap a sent message to look for delivery or read markers, and long-press it for the action menu.
- For conversation-row swipes, open Messages settings > Swipe actions and check which actions are assigned, if that setting is available in your version.
The September 2026 swipe change was reported as a rollout, not as a feature guaranteed to be present on every device. Google’s separate 2023 announcement notes that feature availability can vary by market and device; that notice does not establish the availability of this specific later gesture change. Google’s 2023 announcement provides the general availability caveat.
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