Google Message users have been begging for more customization options in the app for years now. Despite the want for it, the most we’ve been given is surface level, with some teasing that Google might expand it in the future. However, the company has been slow to actually add in the functionality. That may be about to change, though, and it couldn’t come at a better time, as Samsung is gearing up to shut down Samsung Messages in July 2026.
Easing the transition between messaging apps
More customization could make the swap easier for some
While there’s an argument to be made that the death of Samsung Messages is a good thing — the app no longer supports the more secure RCS messaging that Google Messages does — it is hard to say goodbye to the things we love. For many users on Samsung phones, that’s exactly what they’re facing right now, especially when looking at moving from the heavily customizable Samsung Messages to the bland and boring look of Google Messages.
Right now, the only thing you can do in Google Messages to customize the app is change the color of the message bubbles in individual conversations. Even that is pretty well hidden, requiring you to enter a conversation and then press the three-dot menu at the top to see the customization option. However, based on new findings discovered by Android Authority in the code for the latest beta build of Google Messages, the popular Android messaging app appears to finally be embracing the expanded themes and customization functionalities that Google has been teasing for at least a few years.
So far, the information we have is pretty bare bones. However, the strings of code found in the APK teardown of the latest beta build show what appear to be options for custom themes, including a way to add photos, titles, backgrounds, and customize the bubble color. There’s also a string for previewing the theme, all of which suggest that Google is working on a full custom theming functionality more akin to what we already see in the latest versions of Samsung Messages.
A welcome throwback to the olden days of Android
Make Google Messages less boring, please
Google Messages is, at its core, a fantastic app. The RCS implementation is handled well, you can message from the Web, and all-in-all, I don’t have many complaints about using the app for messaging. However, the lack of customization has always felt like a missed opportunity, especially for a platform like Android, where making the device your own has always been a key point.
There was a time where many Android users used non-manufacturer texting apps due to the sheer amount of customization that each one offered. These apps thrived off the way they let users control how their messages looked, and if people found an app that offered more customization or functionality, they’d just move to it.
- OS
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Android
- Released
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November 12, 2014
- Publisher(s)
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Google
Google Messages is the official messaging app for Android, powered by Rich Communication Services (RCS) to offer an enhanced chat experience. It supports high-quality photo and video sharing, dynamic group chats, and end-to-end encryption for privacy. Features include spam protection, AI-powered suggestions, and seamless device integration, making conversations expressive and secure across Android and the web.
Nowadays, though, it isn’t that simple. Google Messages remains one of the primary messaging apps to utilize RCS, which is paramount for easy and secure communication between iPhone and Android. While a lot of the third-party messaging apps do still offer customization, they are still running off old-school SMS messaging, which is less secure and misses out on many of the features RCS brings to the table.
