Google Messages introduces the "Gallery" shortcut, which is cleaner and does not use a camera

Google Messages is adjusting its interface after feedback that not everyone liked the redesigned fullscreen camera + gallery view.

Previously, the Material You–styled “plus” menu only included a Gallery button that behaved the same as the in-line option beside the text field. Now, tapping the updated Gallery shortcut opens a simple photo grid. At the top, you’ll see who the message is being sent to, and at the bottom there’s a Folders shortcut for browsing images. The absence of a viewfinder and the new capsule-shaped icon make it clear this is a gallery-only tool.

Next to it, a new Camera button launches the full-screen viewfinder with integrated gallery access.

Meanwhile, the shortcut at the end of the text box—redesigned back in June—remains unchanged. It’s a handy workflow, and many users have already gotten used to using it for sending pictures quickly.

This configuration, which Google started testing in July, is currently being widely distributed to stable users under version 2025080803_RC04. If you don’t see the standalone Gallery option yet, try force-stopping Google Messages from the app info screen.