Google Messages is finally gaining a Trash folder

https://www.androidpolice.com/google-messages-android-trash-folder-roll-out-beta/

Publish Date: 2026-03-03 08:19:00

Google Messages is not quite perfect. Thankfully, it continues to get better with each update. Unlike most messaging apps, Google Messages lacks a dedicated trash folder. This means deleting a conversation permanently erases it, although there’s an Archive option available as an alternative.

An Android Authority report in October revealed evidence of an under-development Trash folder for the messaging app. We’re now able to get a glimpse of this addition for the first time, courtesy of a Reddit user.

While the source didn’t provide any details with their post, one of the commenters who also found the Trash folder says deleted conversations will live there for 30 days before they’re permanently deleted.

To be clear, individual messages that you delete within a chat won’t end up in the trash folder. Instead, trying to delete an entire conversation will trigger a dialog with options to move it to trash or cancel the task, per another user.

This process is similar to how Google Photos manages items in its Trash folder, although backed-up photos and videos remain for 60 days before they’re removed.

It’s not widely available yet

Current vs upcoming

Most users who are seeing this new Trash option in Messages are on version 20260277_00_RC00 (beta) of the app. However, as PiunikaWeb notes, having this version on your device won’t guarantee the Trash folder’s appearance, suggesting a server-side element is involved.

Nevertheless, we now know for certain that Google Messages is inching closer towards rolling out a dedicated Trash folder, something that’s been months in the making. Although a feature like this should’ve probably existed for a long time, it’s better late than never, as the saying goes.

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