- @mention feature is now in testing in Google Messages
- Users are seeing it in the Google Messages beta
- It’s one of several recent updates to the app.
Over time, Google Messages has grown from a basic SMS client to a much more modern messaging app, and the latest feature to be added is user mentions, so you can finally @ someone specifically in your chats.
As spotted by 9to5Mac, the feature now appears to be in testing, according to reports on Reddit. However, it doesn’t seem to be available to everyone just yet, so you may have to wait patiently for Google to enable user mentions on your phone.
The update had already been detected hidden in the Google Messages code, first in March and then again in May. This is the first time we’ve seen it available to the general public, even if it appears to be a limited test for now – Google hasn’t officially said anything about it yet.
To see if the feature has arrived in Google Messages on your device, try typing an “@” in one of your group chats and, if your phone has the update, you’ll see a list of contacts you can choose from and mention.
This is how it works
@mention in Google Messages! from r/GoogleMessages
The first time you see this in Google Messages, you’ll see a message explaining how it works: The @mention feature can be used to get the attention of someone specific and will trigger a notification even if chat notifications have been muted.
For now, the functionality appears to be limited to those users running the beta version of Google Messages for Android. You may be able to join the beta from the Play Store app: tap your profile photo (top right), then Manage apps and devices > Installed > Google Messages and touch Join under the Join the beta qualification.
According to people who have already seen this, the name that initially appears as a mention will match the name saved in your contacts. You can then edit it if necessary, removing a last name, for example.
Even if the feature is only being beta tested for now, it shouldn’t be long before everyone gets it. In recent months, Google Messages has also added message deletion features and custom icons for group chats.
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