Google Messages testing another redesign of read receipts

Following the last redesign in early 2023, Google Messages is testing a new look for read receipts in RCS conversations.

At the moment, read receipts appear underneath a message between the time/date and the RCS encryption lock. There are four states, with these icons replacing the previous word-based approach.

Timer: Your message is being sent.
Single check: Your message has been sent.
Double check: Your message has been delivered.
Color-filled double check: Your message has been read.

Google is now testing a redesign that places the checkmarks inside the message bubble. They appear at the right and are housed in a circle that is slightly lighter than the background. The read receipts still leverage checkmarks.

In images, they are overlaid in the bottom-right corner.

Current vs. redesign

Google’s redesign allows read receipts to appear on all previous messages instead of just the latest one. This aspect makes the read status a bit more explicit, but is unnecessary in the grand scheme.

We’ve so far received one report of this new design, with the current system in place for about 17 months.