Google Messages adds RCS @mentions for group chats
Technology
Google Messages is rolling out a new @mentions feature for RCS group chats, so you can tag friends directly—even if they've muted the chat, they'll still get a notification.
Just type "@" and you'll see a list of contacts pop up, making it easy to get someone's attention when needed.
Beta version and other recent updates
The feature is currently in beta (version 20251103_00_RC00) and not everyone has it yet.
When you mention someone, their name shows up as saved in your Google Contacts, but you can tweak how it appears by editing out last names or extra details.
This update follows other recent tweaks like custom group icons and joining chats via invite links or QR codes—making group messaging feel a bit more personal and flexible.