Google Messages is getting another essential chat feature it should have had a long time ago

• The @mention feature is now in testing on Google Messages
• Users are seeing it in the Google Messages beta
• It's one of several recent updates for the app

Over time, Google Messages has developed from a bare-bones SMS client to a much more modern messaging app, and the latest feature to be added are user mentions – so you can finally @ someone specifically in your chats.

As spotted by 9to5Mac, the feature now appears to be in testing, as per reports on Reddit. It doesn't appear to be live for everyone yet though, so you may have to wait patiently for Google to enable user mentions on your phone.

The upgrade has previously been spotted hidden away in the Google Messages code, first in March, and then again in May. This is the first time we've actually seen it go live for the general public though, even if it appears to be a limited test for now – Google hasn't actually said anything officially about it yet.

To see if the feature has made its way to Google Messages on your device, try typing an "@" in one of your group chats – and if your phone does have the update, you'll then see a list of contacts you can pick from and mention.

Here's how it works

@mention in Google Messages! from r/GoogleMessages

The first time you see this in Google Messages, you'll see a message explaining how it works: the @ mention feature can be used to get the attention of someone specific, and will trigger a notification even if the chat notifications have been muted.

For now, the functionality does seem to be limited to those users who are running the Google Messages for Android beta. You may be able to join the beta from the Play Store app: tap your profile picture (top right), then Manage apps and devices > Installed > Google Messages and tap Join under the Join the beta heading.

According to people who have already seen this, the name that initially comes up as a mention will match the name saved in your contacts. You can then edit it if you need to – by removing a surname, for example.

Even if the feature is only being tested in beta for now, it shouldn't be too long before everyone gets it. In recent months, Google Messages has also added features for deleting messages and custom icons for group chats.

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