Google Messages beta tests redesigned settings menu
The beta layout groups options into Messaging, Protection & Safety, Privacy, Swipe actions and Gemini, and adds new artwork.
Google Messages is preparing a redesigned settings menu that breaks its single long list of options into several categories, according to Android Authority. The new layout appeared in app version messages.android_20261020_00_RC00.phone.openbeta_dynamic.
The main settings menu is now split into sections including Messaging, Protection & Safety, Privacy, Swipe actions and Gemini. The Messaging screen largely keeps the former RCS chats settings but rearranges them into the new sections.
New page for SIM data, renamed safety section
The redesign adds a dedicated page for viewing SIM data and setting the country. Spam-fighting settings now sit under the heading Protection & Safety rather than Spam & Safety.
Many individual settings pages carry new graphics, including artwork for Gemini and illustrations in the Suggestions & Actions sub-menus. Some screens remain sparse, with little text and a large amount of blank space.
The changes are still in beta and Google has not announced a release date for the redesigned menu. Android Authority has recently been tracking several other Google Messages features in development, including support for RCS video calls and new options for RCS chats.
Quick answers
What changes in the Google Messages settings redesign?
The single long list is split into categories including Messaging, Protection & Safety, Privacy, Swipe actions and Gemini, with new graphics on many settings pages.
Is the new settings menu available to everyone?
No. It was found in a beta version of the app, and no release date has been announced.