If you have read receipts enabled in Google Messages, they normally appear below the text bubble when you’re in an RCS conversation. However, Google may be considering moving them elsewhere.
It seems Google is experimenting with changing where read receipts display in the Messages app. Currently, the little checkmarks that show a message has been read sit below the text, along with the time it was sent. However, Google is now testing putting the read receipts inside the message bubble instead.
According to 9to5Google, in the new version they tested, the read receipts appear as a small circle within the bubble. The circle is a lighter color so it stands out from the bubble. By moving it inside, read receipts would show for every message in the chat instead of just the most recent one below. So far, only one report has spotted this new placement being tested.
Read receipts in Messages normally go through four states – pending, sent, delivered, read. Each has its own icon to quickly show the message status. While the current below-text location keeps them visible, putting them in the bubble could make it even simpler to check the receipt at a glance. Only time will tell if Google formally rolls out this design tweak.
It seems Google constantly tweaks Messages to improve the experience. Just last week, they started testing fun face filters too. So Android users will have to stay tuned to see if this read receipt redesign officially launches at some point. A simple change like this could enhance message tracking without disrupting the chat flow.
