Google Messages, a widely used messaging app offering text, image, and video messaging capabilities, appears to be in the process of developing a new feature akin to WhatsApp’s ‘Edit’ function. In a beta version of the app, code analysis by TheSPAndroid has uncovered the inclusion of four new flags: ‘bugle.enable_edit_ui,’ ‘bugle.load_edit_history,’ ‘bugle.process_outgoing_edits,’ and ‘bugle.process_incoming_edits.’ Currently inactive, these flags seem to be placeholders for a message editing feature, allowing users to edit sent messages.
While message editing isn’t part of the RCS (Rich Communication Services) standard by default, Google has previously introduced features such as end-to-end encryption. This suggests that adding message editing capabilities aligns with the company’s commitment to enhancing user experience. However, it remains uncertain when this feature will be officially rolled out.
The leaked information doesn’t specify whether the Google Messages editing feature will incorporate a time frame within which messages can be edited, similar to WhatsApp or iMessage. Android Police cautions that features under development are subject to change, and there’s no guarantee that the editing feature will be included in the stable version of the Messages app.
In a parallel development, Meta-owned WhatsApp has already introduced a message editing feature, allowing users to edit messages within a 15-minute window after sending. Edited messages are flagged with the word ‘edited’ to maintain transparency in the conversation.
