Updated Feb. 10 with more details of the source of the changes, whats coming and how things will work. When an iPhone user receives a message from an Android phone, it shows up as a green bubble (not the more highly prized blue bubbles that appear when the message is from another iPhone). Now, a new feature is almost here to allow the deleting, editing and recalling messages between the Apple and Android platforms. Heres where its come from and what it will mean.Messaging between iPhone and Android is about to improve.NurPhoto via Getty ImagesWhen this greater compatibility began, some claimed that green bubbles were about to disappear. Thats far from the truth now: green bubbles will continue for as long as people use Apple iMessage.The arrival of this more sophisticated set of features is very welcome. Its coming about because of changes made last year. In June 2024, The GSMA Association responsible for RCS finalized the latest standard with features like the ability to delete a sent message, and Google Messages is readying support, reports 9to5Google.MORE FOR YOUThe publication worked out whats going on by decompiling the latest version of an application that Google uploaded to the Play Store. When we decompile these files (called APKs, in the case of Android apps), were able to see various lines of code within that hint at possible future features, it said. But there was also a disclaimer: Keep in mind that Google may or may not ever ship these features, and our interpretation of what they are may be imperfect.What were waiting for is something from the GSMA called Universal Profile 2.7, which was described in July 2024 to have properties where: Compared to their previous version(s) they bring support for more engaging messaging experiences such as reactions to messages and the user editing a message that they sent earlier, according to the GSMA.Right now, the iPhone Messages app and Google Messages convert reactions (which are called Tapbacks on iPhone) so that the selected emoji appears as it should. With something like this universal profile, the apps wont have to achieve this through individual translations each time.These include the message sender to be able to Edit, Recall and Delete message that they sent earlier for themselves and the message recipient, 9to5Google says. Thats different from the current situation where deleting a message removes it from the senders device only.The reason this looks like its coming soon is that a beta version of Google Messages has strings of code that relate to that, offering options such as Delete for me or Delete for everyone.Its worth noting that for the feature to work, users need the latest version of Google Messages. Without the latest, Messages may still be seen by others on older app versions. For a while, its a good idea to bear this in mind to avoid embarrassment when someone on an older version can still see whatever it was you so urgently wanted to remove.And, of course, the Universal Profile needs to be adopted by both Apple and Google to work.There are other benefits in the profile, such as official replies and reactions, including custom reactions to sent and received messages, so the separate apps no longer need to convert reactions manually. Custom reactions can come from an existing or generated image, which could be a live sticker, a Genmoji created on iOS, and more.unlike now where the threaded or inline dont note what the message was that the sender was referring to. Additionally, there are also plans so users can undo a message for a brief period after it is sent. Exactly how long this period will be isnt yet clear as it merely says briefly. Additionally, there will be improvements when ti comes to spam, as The Spam Report Message allows a client to report an RCS user as a spammer or as an identifier involved in fraud, sending inappropriate content, or other inappropriate behaviour, the standard says.It goes on: The Spam Report Messages are conveyed in a spam report system message (SIP MESSAGE) to the application server. They are targeted to the configuration parameter IMSPAM-REPORTING-URI and shall be sent only by RCS clients. The Service Provider application server shall process the Spam Report Messages and take unilateral blocking action.Which is a dry way of expressing something we all want, surely, that is dealing with spam better.Finally, the profile promises native editing support across platforms. All of which are welcome improvements.Theres no date for these new features but the fact that Google Messages is working on them is a good start and may mean theyre coming soon, or at least when both sides of the fence, that is, including iOS as well are ready to go.