Google Messages is quietly reshaping one of its flashiest AI tricks so it feels more like a helpful extra than a jump scare in the middle of your chats. After months of backlash around the app’s playful “banana” image prompts, the company is dialing down the visibility of its Remix tools and pairing that shift with a broader design refresh that aims to make everyday texting calmer and more predictable.
Instead of pushing generative features in users’ faces, Google is starting to tuck them behind more familiar gestures and menus, while polishing the interface with cleaner Material styling. I see that as a deliberate attempt to keep the “genius” of on‑device AI editing and smart replies, but strip away the stress that comes from surprise pop‑ups and cluttered controls.
From fun experiment to frustrating distraction
The Remix feature in Messages was supposed to be a playful way to tweak photos with AI, but it quickly became a lightning rod. Reports describe how image conversations would trigger a cartoonish banana icon and pop‑up suggestions, turning what should have been a simple photo exchange into a mini product demo every time. That constant nudging is exactly the kind of thing that makes a clever feature feel intrusive rather than delightful.
In response, Google is now Either making Remix more of an opt‑in control than a default suggestion, so people who enjoy AI editing can still find it while everyone else can simply ignore it. Coverage of the change notes that this shift is a direct reaction to user complaints, with the company effectively admitting that the earlier rollout was too aggressive. That is a rare but important course correction for a core Android app.
How Google is toning Remix down
The clearest sign of this rethink is that the Remix prompt is being pulled back from the center of the conversation view. Instead of a banana bubble popping up over every new image, the option is being folded into more conventional menus and long‑press actions so it behaves like any other advanced tool. One report describes the company explicitly Toning down the Remix feature in Messages after feedback, which is about as straightforward as it gets.
Early screenshots back that up, showing image threads where the familiar banana prompt is gone. In those examples, photos move in and out of the chat without the extra overlay, which lines up with descriptions that In the updated interface, images can come and go without the frustrating banana popup. That is exactly the kind of subtle change that lowers the cognitive load of messaging, especially for people who just want to share a picture without being invited to remix it every time.
The long‑press makeover that makes AI feel normal
At the same time, Google is modernizing how you interact with messages and media so advanced options feel like a natural extension of what you already do. Instead of scattering icons around the screen, the app is testing a unified long‑press menu for both text and images. That menu brings together reactions, copy, forward, and for photos, options like Edit, Delete, and Save, which means any future AI actions can live alongside familiar tools instead of bursting into view as separate pop‑ups.
Detailed breakdowns of the experiment describe how Google Messages Modernized with a Long, Press Menu for Text and Images that explicitly lists Edit, Delete, and Save (photos) options. I see this as the real fix for Remix: by hiding AI editing behind the same gesture you already use to react or copy, the feature becomes something you reach for intentionally instead of something that interrupts you.
A calmer coat of paint: Material 3 and layout tweaks
The stress reduction is not just about AI prompts, it is also about how the app looks and feels. Over the past year, Google has been rolling out a more restrained Material 3 design in Messages, with softer colors, rounded elements, and a layout that gives breathing room to key controls. One report on Material changes highlights how the app is embracing more expressive design while still keeping the conversation view clean.
Another deep dive into Google Messages Gets 3 Expressive Design Changes notes that new buttons and indicators are clustered near the text input field, which reduces the need to hunt around the screen. The same coverage mentions the figure 32 in the context of these refinements, underscoring how granular the design work has become. I read that as a sign that Google is trying to make the app feel more predictable at a glance, which in turn makes any AI‑powered extras feel less overwhelming.
WhatsApp‑style power, without the pressure
Alongside the Remix rethink, Google is also chasing feature parity with rivals like WhatsApp, but it is doing so in a way that tries not to overload the interface. A major update planned for this year brings chat @mentions and other tools that messaging veterans will recognize from competing apps. Reports on the 2026 roadmap say that three new WhatsApp‑style features are on the way, with a particular focus on catching up in group chat management.
One analysis points out that When it comes to chat @mentions, platforms such as WhatsApp are far ahead, and that Now, Google Messages is finally getting it. Crucially, these additions are being slotted into existing UI patterns like the composer and long‑press menus, rather than arriving as floating prompts or banners. That approach mirrors the Remix retreat: powerful features, but only when you go looking for them.
