Google Messages gets closer to custom chat backgrounds and smarter Smart Reply controls

At a glance:

• Google Messages is actively developing custom chat backgrounds, allowing users to upload photos and set wallpapers for individual conversations.
• A new APK teardown of beta version messages.android_20260508_02_RC00 reveals a dedicated receiver for custom backgrounds, signaling ongoing engineering work.
• Smart Reply controls are being redesigned from a toggle into a standalone settings screen with a clear choice between instant send and draft mode.

Custom backgrounds on the horizon

With Samsung Messages set to shut down in just a couple of months, Google Messages has been scrambling to match some of its most beloved features. Chief among them is the ability to customize the look of individual chats — something Samsung users have long enjoyed. Over the past few months, we’ve seen text strings in Google Messages hinting at not only custom colors but also the ability to upload photos and set custom chat backgrounds. The latest beta, version messages.android_20260508_02_RC00.phone.openbeta_dynamic, confirms that work is still moving forward.

The app’s manifest now includes a receiver that is clearly identified as being meant for custom backgrounds. While this is a relatively small sign of progress, it demonstrates that Google’s developers are still actively building out the infrastructure. The feature is not yet functional in the beta, but the presence of the receiver suggests that the team is prioritizing it. Given the impending shutdown of Samsung Messages, Google likely wants to offer a compelling alternative for users who rely on personalization.

Smart Reply controls get a rethink

Smart Reply has always been a handy feature for keeping conversations moving, but its behavior has been a source of confusion. Tapping a suggested reply normally sends the message immediately — great for speed, not so great if you want to tweak the wording. Earlier this year, Google Messages introduced a toggle that let users choose between sending the reply instantly or pulling it up for editing first. However, that toggle was placed in an unintuitive location, as users typically associate toggles with turning features on or off rather than choosing between two behaviors.

Now, developers appear to be reorganizing these settings. The latest beta shows evidence of a dedicated Smart Reply settings screen, where users will see a clear choice between “draft” and “send” behavior. While this new layout takes up more space than the old compact toggle, it dramatically improves discoverability for new users. It also aligns with Android’s material design principles, which emphasize clarity over density. This change, though small, could reduce accidental instant sends and make the feature more accessible to less tech-savvy users.

What to watch next

Both custom backgrounds and the Smart Reply redesign remain in development, with no confirmed release date. Google tends to roll out Messages features through server-side updates, so even after the code lands in a beta, it could be weeks or months before users see the changes. The APK teardown also carries the standard caveat: features predicted from pre-release code may never make it to a public build. Still, the active work on both fronts suggests that Google is serious about giving Messages a more personalized and user-friendly experience.

For now, users can keep an eye on future beta releases. If the custom background receiver is any indication, we might see the feature surface in a developer preview soon. The Smart Reply reorganization, meanwhile, could arrive more quickly, as it involves less backend complexity. Either way, these updates will help Google Messages compete with third-party messaging apps that already offer rich customization and smarter reply workflows.