Google Messages Finally Adds a Top-Requested Feature
▼ Summary
– Google Messages is developing a feature to select and copy only a portion of a text message, not the entire message.
– This long-requested feature was discovered in a beta version, indicating a potential wider release soon.
– Currently, the app only allows copying a full message, which is inconvenient for extracting specific details like addresses or codes.
– The new functionality will appear in a redesigned context menu where the message text becomes selectable for partial copying.
– The feature is not yet live for all users and is undergoing testing, so its public release is not guaranteed.
A highly anticipated and practical update is finally making its way to Google Messages, addressing a long-standing user frustration. The popular messaging app is now testing the ability to select and copy only a portion of a message text, a feature many have requested for years. This development was spotted in a recent beta version, signaling that a broader public release could be on the horizon.
Currently, when you long-press a message in the app, the only option is to copy the entire text block. This works fine for short notes but becomes cumbersome with longer messages containing specific details like verification codes, web links, or street addresses. Users have had to resort to inconvenient workarounds, such as copying the full text and then editing it elsewhere or using device-specific multitasking screens to highlight text. These methods have never felt like a seamless solution.
The fix involves a subtle but significant change to the message context menu. After a long press, the menu that appears now displays the full message content in a selectable text field. Instead of just tapping a single “Copy” button, you can drag your finger to highlight only the words or numbers you need. Once selected, the standard Android system menu pops up, offering the option to copy just that highlighted segment. For those times when you do want everything, the original full-message copy button remains available as well.
This enhancement represents a meaningful quality-of-life improvement, making everyday tasks faster and more intuitive. It’s a clear example of Google refining its core apps based on consistent user feedback. While the feature is active in the latest beta build, it appears to be part of a staged rollout and is not yet available to all testers. Such a phased approach is common for Google Messages, where new functionalities are often evaluated in beta channels before becoming standard for everyone.
(Source: Android Authority)
