Galaxy Watch Users Can Now Mark Messages as Read from Notifications

The Google Messages experience on your Galaxy Watch is getting better. A new update makes it easier to clear unread messages without opening the app. You can mark messages as read directly within notifications. This feature is rolling out widely for all Wear OS devices, including the Galaxy Watch family.

Google Messages on Galaxy Watch makes it easier to clear unread messages

Google Messages is the default messaging app on Galaxy Watches running Wear OS. You get notifications for incoming messages right on your wrist, with the option to quickly reply using presets or type out a full response. Now, the latest update for the app adds the ability to mark messages as read without opening them. Like on phones, you get a “Mark as read” option within notifications.

As confirmed by the good guys at Android Authority, the button marks all newly received messages in that thread as read and clears the notification from the notification panel. You don’t need to manually open Google Messages and click on the thread to mark it as read. It’s a convenience tool that brings the Wear OS client of Google Messages closer to its phone version.

There is, however, a catch. The Mark as read button only appears when the notification first pops up on the screen. If you miss the initial alert and later open your notification shade, the quick action may no longer be available for those messages. Nonetheless, it’s a useful addition, especially on a smartwatch, where navigating through apps can feel slower compared to a phone.

To check for the update, open the Play Store on your watch, scroll to Manage apps, and install the latest Google Messages update. Rollouts can take time, so it may not appear immediately for all users. Google is also known to be working on the ability to react to messages with emojis, something you can already do on phones. We will let you know when this update arrives.