Single-line Google Messages text field starts rolling out

As we enabled in April, Google Messages is redrawing the compose/text field in Messages back to a single line. This follows Messages widely rolling out the audio recorder redesign and Selfie GIFs this week.

Google widely rolled out the dual-line design in January. (It remains somewhat odd that the text field is left aligned when your messages appear right.) When opening the text or RCS message field, Google Messages would move the shortcuts for emoji, Magic Compose, gallery , etc. ‘ in a second line so you can always access it when typing.

Some people really didn’t like this design and Google has heard the feedback.

The default state before your text interacts with it remains unchanged. Once you start typing, the gallery and Magic Compose disappear, with Emoji and the “plus” on the left. Some people might appreciate the visual consistency and reduced animation.

Current or future

Meanwhile, this change makes the text field narrower, with the “plus” sign taking up one column. I prefer the current design in this regard, while you’re still limited to four lines of text before having to scroll.

This single-line text field is not yet widely deployed in Google Messages. We only see it on a phone running beta 20240506_04_RC00.

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