Google Messages has officially rolled out a Trash folder, giving Android users a 30-day safety net for accidentally deleted texts. Previously, deleting a conversation in Google Messages removed it immediately and permanently, with no way to recover it.
9to5Google reports that the new feature is now live in the stable version 20260327_00_RC00 of the app, after a month of beta testing. The Trash folder temporarily stores deleted conversations for 30 days before permanently removing them. On Android Go devices, deleted conversations are kept for seven days to help save storage space.
The change brings Google Messages in line with competitors like Samsung Messages and Apple Messages, which have offered similar recovery features for years. Users can restore individual conversations or all deleted threads at once with a single tap.
How to use the Google Messages Trash Folder?
Accessing the Trash folder in Google Messages is straightforward. Tap your profile picture or initial in the top-right corner of the app, then select “Trash” from the account menu. The folder appears below “Archived” and displays all deleted conversations with timestamps. Once inside, users can:
- Restore messages: Tap on any conversation to recover it, moving the full chat history back to the main inbox.
- Delete permanently: Remove individual threads or use “Delete all” to clear the entire Trash folder before the 30-day grace period ends.
- Handle new messages: If a trashed conversation receives a new message, Google Messages creates a separate thread in the main chat list containing only the new message, leaving the original conversation in the Trash folder.
According to Android Police, the feature is a “safety net” that addresses a long-standing user complaint about the app’s lack of message recovery options. The Trash folder replaces the old permanent delete option, and users no longer see a warning that deletion is irreversible.
In summary, Google Messages now offers a Trash folder that retains deleted conversations for 30 days, giving users ample time to recover important texts before they are permanently erased.
