Google Messages plans new feature that reveals identity behind unknown numbers

Google Messages could soon add a sender’s name to messages sent by someone outside of your contact list, according to changes in the latest beta version of the app found by Android Authority.

Beta app teardowns can reveal potential features based on work-in-progress code. In this case, AA detected a change in the notification users receive when they receive a message from a new contact. If users receive an SMS from a number not saved in the phone’s contacts and profile discovery is enabled for the SMS sender, the notification will include the sender’s name.

The biggest problem with this potential feature is the profile discovery requirement. Users wanting to enable discovery can only do so through Google accounts in a browser at the time of writing. Although there are steps to enable the feature on Google Messages, they are not working yet as the feature is not complete.

Google Pixel 8 presented hand-held — (Image credit: Tom’s Guide)

This isn’t the only new feature we’ve heard about for Google Messages, as it was recently reported that customizable RCS chat colors for Messages were on the way. With this, users can change the color by tapping the three-dot menu button in any Google Messages thread. There are apparently nine options to choose from, but the feature only covers RCS messages, not SMS and MMS options.

Google also recently added the ability to add animated emojis to its Messages app. There are 10 reactions to choose from, which you can activate by long-pressing the appropriate emoji response to a particular message, just like on iMessage on iPhone.

It is important to note that APK breakdowns are only predictions and features found there may take a long time to go live, or may never appear at all. However, this message identification feature would be useful for all users, whenever a new person sends a message. So we hope Google will finish it and send it live as soon as possible.

While we wait for this Messenger ID feature to appear, we’re also waiting for the release of Android 15, which is expected to be announced at Google I/O 2024 on May 14. We wait for news about the latest Android version to take center stage. , as well as teasers for the Pixel 9 and Pixel Fold 2, we hope.