Google Messages' new one-handed-friendly menu begins rollout

Back in October, we spotted Google testing a redesigned context menu in Messages. We didn’t know when or even if it would roll out, though it seemed like a sure thing given its utility for one-handed phone use — especially on some of the large-screen flagships on the market. It took a while, but now it appears that the change is starting to roll out more widely.

Android Authority contributor AssembleDebug just spotted the new context menu in the latest beta version of the Messages app. After posting about it on Reddit, several other beta users quickly confirmed they’re now seeing the same interface, suggesting this isn’t just for a small test group.

The change replaces parts of the old top-heavy setup with a menu that appears directly below a selected message. When you long-press a message, reactions still show up above it, but actions like Reply, Forward, Copy, Delete, and Save now reside in a compact panel underneath. Some options were previously hidden in the hamburger menu at the top, so the idea is that this will mean less reaching to the top of the screen and easier one-handed use.

Early reactions on the Reddit thread have been mostly positive. Some commenters initially thought the new layout removed the ability to delete multiple messages at once, but others quickly pointed out that the option is still there under “Select more.” One also noted that the setup feels similar to how apps like Signal have handled message actions for years.

We still don’t know when this will reach the stable version of Google Messages, but with more beta users now seeing it, it looks like a matter of time. Let us know in the comments if you’ve spotted it and what you think.