Pick up where you left off with persistent drafts in Google Chat

We are introducing persistent drafts in Google Chat. Unsent messages are now automatically saved so you can finish and send later, and are also synchronized across your devices, allowing you to start composing a message on one device and finish or send it from another.

With this update, you can start typing a message and finish later, even if you close Chat or reboot your device. If you start typing a message at your desk, you can finish and send the message from your tablet or mobile phone during your commute. Your unsent drafts will be waiting in the conversation compose box and the drafts shortcut.

Drafts are saved per conversation (DMs, group DMs, and Spaces).
You will find your drafts for a given conversation or thread stored in the compose box.
You will also find your drafts across all conversations in the drafts shortcut.
Unsent drafts are retained for up to 30 days.

Getting started

Admins: There is no admin control for this feature.
End users: There is no end user setting for this feature. Visit the Help Center to learn more.

Rollout pace

Web

Rapid Release domains: Gradual rollout (up to 15 days for feature visibility with expected completion by September 15, 2026) starting on September 8, 2026
Scheduled Release domains: Gradual rollout (up to 15 days for feature visibility) starting on September 22, 2026

Android & iOS

Rapid Release and Scheduled Release domains: Gradual rollout (up to 15 days for feature visibility) starting on September 28, 2026

Availability

Available to all Google Workspace customers, Workspace Individual subscribers, and users with personal Google accounts

Resources

Google Help: Reply to a message in Google Chat

Google has officially introduced persistent drafts in Google Chat, resolving a long-overdue feature gap by automatically saving and synchronizing your unsent messages across devices. [1, 2]

Whether you accidentally close your browser tab, your device reboots, or you simply need to change locations, your half-written messages will be preserved. [1, 3]

Key Features & Behavior

Multi-Device Synchronization: You can start typing a message at your desktop and seamlessly finish and send it from your mobile device or tablet. [1, 3]
Universal Coverage: Drafts are saved automatically across all communication types, including Direct Messages (DMs), group DMs, and Spaces. [1, 4]
Two Ways to Access:
- The Compose Box: Your unsent draft stays waiting inside the specific conversation or thread where you started it.
- The Drafts Shortcut: A centralized shortcut aggregates all unfinished drafts across all conversations into one scannable list. [1, 4]
Retention Limit: Unsent drafts are retained for up to 30 days before expiring. [1, 3]
Zero Configuration: The feature requires no admin controls or user setting adjustments; it functions automatically out of the box. [5]

Rollout Timeline (September 2026)

The feature is rolling out to all Google Workspace customers, Workspace Individual subscribers, and personal Google accounts according to the following schedule: [2, 5]

Platform / Domain	Rollout Start Date	Expected Completion
Web (Rapid Release)	September 8, 2026	September 15, 2026
Web (Scheduled Release)	September 22, 2026	Gradual rollout (up to 15 days)
Mobile (Android & iOS)	September 28, 2026	Gradual rollout (up to 15 days)

For official documentation and future updates, monitor the Google Workspace Updates Blog. [1]

Would you like to know more about how to navigate the new drafts shortcut once it hits your account, or are you looking for details on other recent Google Chat updates?