Upcoming Android updates will bring editable RCS messages, digital car keys, and more

Android is getting a handful of features over the next month, including one that users have anticipated for a while.

One update will let users on Android 8 and later edit sent messages through Google's Messages app. Similar to other services with the same feature (like iMessage), users can long-tap an RCS message to edit it up to 15 minutes after it was sent. This feature rolls out today. 

Other updates coming soon include a widget that lets users control often-used smart home appliances and devices, either on their Android smartphone (like the Google Pixel 8, curr. $699 on Amazon) or on a smartwatch running Wear OS 3 or later.  

Increased support for digital car keys is also coming, with support for vehicles from Mini, Mercedez-Benz, and Polestar. These keys require Android 12 or later. There are also improvements to instant hotspot that will allow users to connect a compatible device with just one tap and will enable switching between hotspot devices. This feature requires Android 11 or later and will come June 10.

Android 15 is expected to come out in the fall of 2024, although individual feature updates often trickle out throughout the calendar year. Considering editing sent messages has been a feature available on many other messaging platforms for years, RCS message editing is sure to be quite popular for Google Messages users.