Google Messages Adds Trash Folder to Recover Deleted Android Chats

Google Messages has introduced a Trash folder for Android users, providing a 30-day window to recover deleted chat conversations before they are permanently erased from the device.

The feature changes the standard deletion process in the app by moving conversations to a temporary holding area rather than removing them immediately. This allows users to retrieve messages that were deleted accidentally or by mistake.

Managing Deleted Conversations

Users can move conversations to the Trash folder using two primary methods. The first involves touching and holding a conversation, which allows for the selection of one or multiple chats. Once selected, users can tap Trash and then select Move to trash.

The second method is through a customizable swipe action. To enable this, users must navigate to the profile picture or More menu, enter Messages settings, and select Swipe actions. From there, users can customize either the swipe right or swipe left action to trigger the Trash function.

To access the Trash folder, users tap their profile picture or the More menu and select Trash. Within this folder, each conversation displays a counter indicating the number of days remaining before the chat is permanently deleted.

Recovery and Permanent Deletion

Conversations can be restored individually or in groups. Users can touch and hold the desired conversations within the Trash folder and select Restore at the top of the screen.

The system also allows for the bulk deletion of all chat conversations within the Trash folder at once. However, Google warns that this action should be taken with caution, as messages deleted permanently from the Trash folder cannot be recovered.

You can’t recover messages you delete permanently from the Trash folder, whether done on purpose or accidentally.

Google Messages Support

Technical Context and Availability

The addition of a trash folder brings Google Messages into alignment with other messaging platforms, such as iMessage, which previously offered similar recovery capabilities.

The feature was reported to be in beta in March 2026, establishing the 30-day recovery window and altering the app’s deletion logic. The Trash folder has been deployed to Samsung phones.

• Recovery window: 30 days before permanent deletion.
• Access point: Profile picture or More menu > Trash.
• Movement options: Long-press selection or customized swipe actions.
• Permanence: Items deleted from the Trash folder are non-recoverable.