Google Messages quietly preps new Mentions feature for group chats

Google Messages mentions feature is now quietly showing up in the latest beta, and it’s long overdue. While WhatsApp and Telegram users have had it for years, Android’s default messaging app is only now catching up, thanks to a report from Android Authority.

The feature works exactly as you’d expect. Type “@” in a group chat, and you’ll see a list of suggested contacts pop up. Select one, and the mention gets inserted into your message, bolded and clickable. Tap on it, and you’ll see a mini profile card with options to DM or call them directly.

Right now, the mention tag doesn’t trigger a special notification—probably because it’s not fully rolled out yet. But based on how it works in other messaging apps, we’re hoping Google adds the ability to override group chat notification settings so that tagged users actually get alerted. Otherwise, what’s the point?

Google hasn’t officially announced the mentions feature, and there’s no word on when it’ll go live for everyone. But it’s already functional in version 20250511 of the beta, which suggests a public rollout isn’t too far off. Group chats can get noisy. Mentions could help cut through the chaos—if Google gets it right.