Google Messages Adds 30-Day Trash Folder for Deleted Chats

Google Messages is introducing a new “Trash” folder, providing users with a 30-day window to recover accidentally deleted conversations. This feature, mirroring similar functionality in Google Photos and Google Files, offers an added layer of protection against permanent data loss.

How the Trash Folder Works

Previously, deleting a conversation in Google Messages resulted in immediate and permanent removal. Now, deleted chats are moved to the Trash folder, located between “Archived” and “Spam & Blocked” within the app. Users can view the remaining time before each conversation is automatically deleted from the Trash.

Restoring and Clearing Deleted Messages

Within the Trash folder, users have several options:

• Restore Individual Chats: Recover specific conversations that were accidentally deleted.
• Restore Entire Folder: Recover all conversations currently in the Trash.
• Permanently Clear Trash: Delete all conversations in the Trash folder immediately.

Rollout and Availability

The rollout of the Trash folder is being implemented via a server-side switch, meaning not all users will have access immediately, even with the latest version of the app. Initial reports indicate that some Pixel users with the Google Messages beta have already gained access, with wider availability expected on other Android devices soon 9to5Google.

Alignment with Industry Standards

This 30-day recovery window aligns with the approach taken by Apple and Samsung in their respective messaging applications, offering users a comparable level of data protection and recovery options.

Sending Multimedia in Google Messages

Google Messages supports sending and receiving various multimedia formats over RCS, including photos, videos, audio files, and GIFs Google Messages Help. Users can also adjust media quality settings when sending images, choosing between “HD Optimized for chat” for faster sending and less data usage, or “HD+ Original quality” for full resolution.

Managing Photos and Videos Received in Messages

Images and videos received in Google Messages are typically stored in the “Pictures” folder on your device, within a “Messages” subfolder Google Messages Support.

Sharing Files in Google Chat

While this article focuses on Google Messages, it’s worth noting that Google Chat also allows file sharing, supporting files up to 200 MB and a variety of image formats like BMP, GIF, JPEG, PNG, WBMP, and HEIC Google Chat Help.