Google Messages Starts Rolling Out Custom Group Chat Icons 

Google is beginning to roll out the ability to personalize group chats in Messages for Android with custom icons.

At the moment, the default group icon shows up to four circular profile pics that might not be too helpful for distinguishing conversations, especially if there are chat/contact overlaps. To date, the group name has been the surest bet.

Some users are now seeing the ability to upload their own icon. Open the desired group conversation and tap the top bar for the Group details page. If this customization is live for you, there will be a pencil icon to the right of the existing image. 

• Related: Google Messages preps group chat upgrade with invite links & QR codes, @mentions

One report notes how GIFs cannot be set and how you can’t return to the previous design after setting a custom one. 

Custom group icons are not yet widely available on devices running the Messages beta that we checked today. It will be a nice quality-of-life improvement once rolled out.

More on Google Messages:

• What Google Messages features are rolling out [May 2025]
• Google Messages rolling out ‘Unsubscribe’ button to stop SMS and RCS spam
• Messages Sensitive Content Warnings for nudity rolling out

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