The feature is currently in a staged rollout, meaning it has appeared on some devices running the beta but not others, even on the same app version. It was first spotted in testing last month and is now confirmed to be actively reaching users through the beta branch.
What the update actually changes
Until now, long-pressing a message in Google Messages produced a single copy option that captured the full text of that message. For short messages, that was rarely a problem. For longer messages containing a single useful piece of information, such as a one-time password, a delivery tracking number, a street address, or a link buried in a paragraph, the limitation created unnecessary extra steps.
The typical workaround involved copying the full message, pasting it into a notes app or text field, then manually selecting and copying just the relevant portion. That process worked, but it was friction that no other major messaging or text-based app imposed on its users.
With the new beta feature, users can long-press a message and then drag to highlight only the portion they want to copy. The existing full-message copy option remains available for anyone who prefers it. The two options now coexist, giving users control over how much of any given message they want to capture.
Why it took this long
Google Messages has grown into the default messaging app on a wide range of Android devices, including Samsung Galaxy phones, where it now comes pre-installed. The app supports both SMS and RCS messaging and has received a steady stream of updates over recent years, including the addition of a dedicated Trash folder, progress toward cross-platform encrypted RCS messaging, and various interface refinements.
Selective text copying is the kind of feature that has existed in virtually every other text-heavy application for years. Its absence in Google Messages was not a dealbreaker for most users, but it was a consistent source of friction that surfaced regularly in conversations about the app’s limitations. The fact that a workaround existed through the Recent Apps screen, which allowed users to select text visible on the current screen, offered partial relief but did not solve the problem for longer messages that extended beyond a single screen view.
Who has it and what comes next
The feature is currently available to users enrolled in the Google Messages beta program on select devices. Android Authority confirmed the rollout on a OnePlus 13R running the current beta version, while other devices on the same version did not yet show the capability, consistent with a staged distribution.
Users not yet in the beta can expect the feature to reach the stable version of Google Messages in a future update, though Google has not announced a specific timeline. Those already in the beta who have not yet seen the feature should receive it as the rollout continues to expand across compatible devices.
For Android users who regularly deal with messages containing actionable data buried in longer text, the update removes one of the small but genuine daily annoyances that accumulated silently across every interaction with the app.
