Google Messages removed its organizational tools, so I used these fixes instead
by Jon Gilbert · Android PoliceOne-time passwords (OTPs) are the bane of my Google Messages inbox.
No matter how many accounts I link to my two-factor authentication app, I get an endless number of apps and services spamming my inbox with one-time codes.
On top of that, I get shipping confirmations, promotional messages, and missed-call messages. They drown out my regular conversations and leave me frustrated with the app.
So I tweaked a few settings and cleaned up my entire Google Messages inbox while organizing my messages.
Related
I explored every Google Messages shortcut and hidden setting, and these features made texting less stressful
My inbox finally stopped being a graveyard of unfinished conversations
Google removed its best organizational tools for Messages
But the rollback has been inconsistent
In 2022, Google rolled out two fantastic features for its Messages app. Conversation categories and OTP auto-delete.
Conversation categories automatically sorted messages into suitable categories (for example, personal, business, or transactions) and displayed them at the top of the app.
OTP auto-delete regularly scanned the inbox for OTP messages and deleted any older than 24 hours. As OTP messages generally expire after minutes, this was a welcome addition.
However, starting in 2023, Google started removing these features when it launched a major redesign for Messages.
You can find the menu that hosted them by searching "Messages organization" in the Settings app, but tapping it takes you to the app's General settings.
Some users report that the Auto-delete OTP messages feature is still active on their app. Check if it's enabled by searching for it in Google Messages' settings menu.
These tools are what I relied on to keep my messages organized and my inbox clear. I can still keep my inbox clear, but it takes a little more elbow grease.
Categories are still here (sort of)
Great for finding messages, bad for deleting them
The old category groupings are gone, but Google introduced a new set. They're hidden, but they're nearly as useful as the previous categories.
Importantly, they let me mass-delete spam and OTP texts. It's a little more work than before, but still not much trouble.
- Tap the Search icon at the top of the app.
Tap Unknown.
This displays all messages that aren't from a person or business in my contacts.
However, there's a catch. In this search interface, I can't bulk-select and delete messages. To delete messages from this interface, I have to delete each conversation manually.
It's frustrating, but it gives me a clear look at where my messages are. Most of the time, I use swipe actions to take permanent action.
Decisive swipes keep my inbox clear
I delete everything and don't look back
Google Messages offers three swipe actions for messages: Bin, Mark as read/unread, and Delete.
You can swipe left or right on a message to choose two of these actions. However, I choose only one.
Sending a conversation to the Google Messages Bin doesn't delete it immediately. Instead, it hides it for 30 days, then deletes it forever.
There are (rarely) times when I need an OTP for longer than 24 hours. Delivery services occasionally need confirmation codes, and if delivery is delayed, I need to keep it longer.
However, even if I "delete" the message, I can still recover it. I used to archive messages I thought would be useful, but I've never once had to recover them.
So I changed both swipe actions to delete. If I make a mistake, I have 30 days to fix it.
Pinning conversations means I only see important messages
Hide the spam from view
I regularly text about six people on Google Messages and infrequently text another ten. But if they're a contact, I pin the conversation.
Google Messages allows up to 20 pinned messages, which is more than enough to fill my screen. Always seeing my contacts' conversations is much better than a mix of promotions and OTPs.
Google Messages will still organize pinned messages by date; it feels like a return to the days when my messages only had contacts.
I would still pin messages even if I didn't have enough contacts to make it worthwhile. Anything to stop my inbox from dissolving into a confusing mess.
What happened to Google Messages?
I like using Google Messages. European by residency, WhatsApp is my primary messaging app, but I hate being locked into a walled-garden messaging app.
Growing RCS adoption has driven Google Messages' success, but plenty of other features make it worthwhile.
However, its organizational tools are lackluster. I'm constantly subjected to a torrent of messages about delivery information, missed calls, and OTPs, and there's no simple way to manage them.
What Google Messages needs right now is not new emojis, but a total overhaul of its organizational features. Until then, it's all manual.