Read receipts in Google Messages look different, but nobody knows why
Google Messages appears to be showing changes to its read receipt design, with some users seeing a reversion to the older style. The updated look previously moved checkmarks inside the message bubble, but now they are appearing below it again. It is unclear whether this change is intentional or a bug in the beta version of the app.
- ▪Google Messages previously introduced a redesign that placed read receipt indicators inside the message bubble.
- ▪Recent beta versions show read receipts reverted to the older design, appearing below the bubble with separate checkmarks.
- ▪The change has been observed on Pixel devices running Google Messages version 20260423_00 beta.
- ▪The read receipts now appear between the timestamp and the encryption icon in the updated layout.
- ▪It is currently unknown if the reversion is intentional or due to a software bug.
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{ "@context": "https://schema.org", "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": "1", "name": "Home", "item": "https://www.androidpolice.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position":"2", "name": "Utilities", "item": "https://www.androidpolice.com/utilities/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position":"3", "name": "Read receipts in Google Messages look different, but nobody knows why", "item": "https://www.androidpolice.com/google-messages-beta-read-receipts-redesign/" } ] } Read receipts in Google Messages look different, but nobody knows why By Chethan Rao Published Apr 28, 2026, 9:42 AM EDT Chethan is a reporter at Android Police, focusing on the news coverage for the site.
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