Google Messages could soon make voice notes easier to initiate

Like most messaging apps, Google Messages also lets you send voice notes in RCS chats. You can start recording a new voice note by tapping the waveform icon and then hitting the large microphone icon. Alternatively, you can also long-press the waveform icon to begin a voice message. However, a future Google Messages update could change this.

In the latest Google Messages beta (messages.android_20260921_01_RC00), we’re seeing work towards a change that would let voice messages be initiated with a single tap, possibly to make the tool easier to access. Here’s what the current interface looks like:

This UI provides a fallback if you accidentally tap the waveform icon in a chat. And now here’s a video demo of the WIP single-tap activation:

While it may seem like a convenient way to start a voice recording quickly, we can’t help but think about the risk of accidentally triggering it when you didn’t mean to.

WhatsApp for Android also includes a similar single-tap voice recording feature in chats, so Google may be trying to catch up there. By contrast, messaging app Telegram relies on a long press to begin a voice message.

Right now, this Messages change appears to be in limited beta testing. Hopefully, Google will consider adding a toggle on the settings page to manage this single-tap voice-recording option, rather than making it the default option.

While those who frequently use this mode of communication in their chats may find it useful, others may not for the reason we outlined above.

Beyond these changes, Google Messages is also working on a persistent search icon in chats and a revamp of pinned chats. It’s unclear if and when Google might make these changes publicly available for Messages users.