After testing started in January, Google Messages is expanding beta access to a redesign of the long-press menu that aids one-handed usage.

Previously, long-pressing a message would show a toolbar at the top of your screen. You’d see three actions at the right, with everything else in the three-dot overflow menu. Additionally, there’s the pill with emoji actions and Photomoji.

Old

The new design applies a blur effect to the background. Above the text or image, the emoji bar is unchanged. However, a menu now appears below with:

• Reply
• Forward
• Copy
• Star
• Delete
• Select more 
• Info
• Save (for media)

If there’s not enough space for the list, the selected item will appear higher up on the screen, complete with a bouncy animation.

New

Additionally, a second long-press on text will let you copy just a particular part of the message. You had to copy the entire message in the past.

We’re seeing this menu redesign roll out with the latest version of the Google Messages beta (20260731_00_RC00) as part of a server-side update. If you’re not seeing it live yet, Force stop Google Messages from App info.

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