Google is testing a series of interface updates for its Messages app that could streamline how users handle media and share their location, according to Android Authority. A recent beta build of the Android app (version messages.android_20251121_00_RC01.phone.openbeta_dynamic) has revealed several work-in-progress features that, while not yet live for the public, offer a glimpse into the platform’s future development.
One of the most practical additions discovered is a new workflow for saving media. Currently, when a user saves a photo or video from a chat, a “snackbar” notification briefly appears to confirm the download. The update prepares to add an “Open” button directly to this notification, allowing users to immediately view the file in an external app or verify its location without navigating away from their conversation.
The update also suggests Google is refining its location-sharing capabilities. The app’s code now includes references to an “enable_live_location_sharing_extension,” signaling a potential move toward real-time tracking similar to WhatsApp or Google Maps.
Simultaneously, changes to the current location-sharing menu appear to clarify the distinction between sending a static point on a map and broadcasting an ongoing “live” location. The labeling updates hint that Google wants to make it explicit when a user is sharing only their momentary position versus a continuous feed.
Google’s AI assistant, Gemini, is also set to occupy more visual real estate. The floating action button (FAB) for Gemini, which sits above the “Start Chat” button, is being resized. In the new build, the button has been enlarged to match the dimensions of the primary chat button, making the AI feature more prominent and easier to tap.
