Google is preparing to roll out two useful updates for its Google Messages app, designed to make chatting and media sharing feel a bit more seamless. The app, which serves as the default texting tool on many Android phones and runs on the Rich Communication Services (RCS) standard, is getting two main improvements: users will soon be able to pin up to 20 conversations instead of 10, and a new picture-in-picture mode will let them watch YouTube videos directly inside the chat window.
Key Takeaways
- More Pinned Chats: The limit for pinned conversations at the top of the app is increasing from 10 to 20.
- Watch Videos in Chat: YouTube links will soon open in a small floating window within the Messages app.
- Better Multitasking: Users can continue chatting while the video plays on the same screen.
Pinning conversations might sound like a small detail, but it’s something that makes daily texting much easier. Many users, especially in regions like India, tend to pin their most frequent chats, family groups, close friends, or even work-related conversations. The current 10-chat limit, however, often feels restrictive. Once it’s full, you have to unpin one conversation to make space for another, which can be slightly annoying if you juggle multiple priorities.
With the new update, that limit doubles to 20. It’s a simple but meaningful improvement that makes it easier to keep important chats within reach. For anyone who receives hundreds of messages daily, including one-time passwords and promotional texts, this small tweak could make a big difference in keeping things organized.
The second update is about how YouTube links behave in Google Messages. Right now, tapping a YouTube link automatically opens the separate YouTube app, which interrupts the flow of conversation. It breaks the rhythm, especially when you’re in the middle of chatting about the video itself.
With picture-in-picture (PiP) mode, that experience changes. Tapping a YouTube link will launch the video in a small, movable window that floats over your chat screen. You can keep the conversation going while watching, perhaps even reacting to the video in real time. It’s a simple, fluid experience that feels more natural for multitasking.
These updates are part of Google’s steady push to make Messages feel more like a complete modern messaging app, similar to what you’d find in WhatsApp or Telegram. Since Messages runs on RCS, Google can build in features like typing indicators, read receipts, and high-resolution image sharing, things that traditional SMS never offered.
Both the expanded pin limit and the YouTube PiP feature were recently spotted in the app’s code, suggesting they’re already in the final testing phase. While Google hasn’t confirmed exactly when the update will roll out, users can likely expect to see it appear in an upcoming Play Store release soon.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q. What is the new pin limit in Google Messages?
A. The new limit for pinned conversations in Google Messages will be 20. This is double the current limit of 10 chats.
Q. How will YouTube picture-in-picture work in Google Messages?
A. When you receive a YouTube video link in a chat, tapping it will open the video in a small, floating window inside the Google Messages app. You can move this window around the screen or resize it, allowing you to watch the video and continue texting without switching apps.
Q. When will I get these new features for Google Messages?
A. Google has not announced an exact release date. These features were spotted in development versions of the app and are expected to roll out to all Android users in a future update. Keep your Google Messages app updated via the Google Play Store.
Q. Do these features work for regular SMS?
A. The increased pin limit will work for all conversations, including SMS. However, features like picture-in-picture mode are part of the RCS (Rich Communication Services) protocol. They will work when you are in an RCS “Chat” conversation, not a standard SMS text.
