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Summary
Google Messages has been working on adding @mentions support in group conversations for a while now.
A new report details how the feature will work.
In its current version, the feature allows tagging users for attention but does not provide separate notifications.
For a messaging service that wants to compete with WhatsApp and Telegram, Google Messages still lacks several features. One of them is the ability to mention someone in a group conversation to grab their attention. Google was spotted working on this feature back in mid-March. It seems the company has been slowly making progress on @mentions support in Google Messages, with a new report providing insight into how it would work.
Related
After some digging, the Android Authority team managed to activate the Mentions feature in the latest Google Messages beta release (v20250511). Unsurprisingly, the feature works in the same manner as in other messaging apps, like WhatsApp: you type “@” followed by the other person’s username or number. An autocomplete suggestion will appear, enabling you to select the contact whose attention you want to capture easily.
In the message sent, the tagged username will appear in bold. Other group members can tap on it to view the person’s profile, which provides quick access to call and private message options.
Source: Android Authority
However, the feature is still not fully functional. As per the report, the mentioned person does not get a notification for the tagged message. Without a separate notification, tagging someone in a chat would lose its purpose entirely.
Google is likely still working on this feature, which also explains why it has not made @mention support live in Messages yet. But based on the current development, it’s possible that we will see Google roll out mentions support for RCS conversations in Google Messages on the beta channel within the next month or two.
@mentions could bring order to chaotic group chats
Admittedly, mentions support might not seem like a big deal, but it should make noisy group RCS conversations in Google Messages a lot more manageable. It allows you to gain someone’s attention directly and makes it easier for others to do the same with you.
Google Messages is testing several other improvements, including deleting forwarded videos to free up space quickly and a “Delete for everyone” button. All these features may take a while to roll out, as Google tends to test them for a few weeks before pushing them to the public.
