Floating conversation bubbles might be coming soon to Google Messages

By Chris Wedel
last updated

Google Messages Bubble setting
Google Messages Bubble setting (Image credit: Chris Wedel/Android Central)

What you need to know

  • The Bubbles feature was first seen in Android 10 Beta 2 on Pixels.
  • Currently, the feature can be enabled within the Developer Options on Android 10 devices.
  • Bubbles can be enabled and disabled within the Google Messages app notification settings.

Google apps have been getting a fair number of updates as of late, and Google Messages is no different. Shortly after RCS Chat for Messages was widely enabled for everyone in the U.S., now we may be getting floating notifications called Bubbles.

We first saw indications of a new Bubbles API in the Android 10 Beta 2 that rolled out earlier in the year. However, that option wasn't functioning for any apps at that time. Over at XDA Developers, it was found that enabling the Bubbles option with the Developer Options on an Android 10 device makes this usable in the Google Messages app. In the latest version of the Messages app, version 5.4.0.78, you can go into the notification settings and enable Bubbles.

Source: XDA Developers

Doing this gives a floating notification and chat window similar to that of Facebook Messenger. You'll be able to drag the icon around on the screen, tap to open and interact with it and drag to an X when you want to get rid of it. While the feature can be enabled, it may not work all that smoothly, considering it is mainly for developers to test and work on. That doesn't mean we can play with it too, right?

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Chris Wedel
Chris Wedel
Senior Editor - Smart Home
Chris Wedel is a fan of all things tech and gadgets. Living in rural Kansas with his wife and two young boys makes finding ways to get and stay online tricky. By utilizing his years of experience with the tech and mobile communications industries — success is assured. When not conquering connectivity challenges and testing new gadgets, he enjoys cruising a gravel road in his UTV with some good tunes.
5 Comments
  • This is a lot like what Samsung has been doing for years to have multiple apps open, and you can minimize them in a floating button also. I can already do this with Google Messages and a lot of other apps on my Galaxy Note and S phones. It is great that Android is now letting their own apps and developers use this now.
  • I use it for Google messenger and WhatsApp on my Samsung Note 10. One of my favorites, makes it very easy to stay on task and answer a quick text at the same time.
  • They are annoying. Facebook Messenger does that and it's the most annoying feature about it.
  • +1 on this!! Disabled this feature on messenger first thing when it came out. Its super annoying and really buggy.
  • Too bad the Google Messages app is so awful to use. Third party apps are so much better.