Google Messages has started pushing out its new Sensitive Content Warnings feature to all users, but a recent Messages beta update also has some folks seeing two identical app icons on their home screens.
The safety feature, which Google first announced last October, is now going live across Android devices, as reported by 9to5Google. It automatically detects and blurs nude images before you see them, giving you a heads-up about potentially harmful content. The whole detection process happens right on your phone using Android’s SafetyCore system. This means that your images never get sent to Google’s servers for analysis.
When you get a message with flagged content, Google Messages shows you a blurred image with several options. You can tap to learn about why nude images can be harmful, block the sender’s number entirely, or choose to view the image anyway after confirming you really want to see it. The same warning pops up when you try to send nude images yourself, making you swipe to confirm you want to go through with it.
The feature works differently depending on your age. Adults 18 and older have it turned off by default but can switch it on through Messages settings under Protection & Safety. For teens between 13-17, it’s automatically enabled but can be disabled through their Google Account settings. Kids with supervised accounts get it turned on permanently, though parents can manage it through the Family Link app. For more details, you can check out the official help page.
While this feature is rolling out to everyone, users who installed the latest Google Messages beta (messages.android_20250811_03_RC00) are also noticing something off. A harmless bug has resulted in duplicated app icons. Users installing the beta are finding two identical Messages icons sitting side by side in their app drawer. Both icons work perfectly fine and launch the same app with no differences between them. I can confirm the same on two separate Android phones, one being the Pixel 8 and the other an Infinix GT 20 Pro. Check the screenshots below for reference:
Tech sleuth AssembleDebug explained, “They unintentionally/intentionally added android.intent.category.LAUNCHER intent filter in another activity. So that activity also started showing up in the app list.” But if you already have Messages pinned to your home screen, you might not even notice this quirky duplication since it only affects the app drawer. The icons don’t show up twice in search results either.
Nevertheless, it shouldn’t hamper your usage experience and will likely be fixed with the next update, granted that it’s easy to reproduce. On the other hand, Google’s safety push makes sense given how messaging apps have become a common way for people to share inappropriate content, especially among younger users. The company announced it back in October last year and has been working on this feature since April in beta channels, and now it’s hitting the mainstream release alongside Google Play Services updates.
The sensitive content detection isn’t perfect though. Google admits the system might occasionally flag innocent images or miss some that actually contain nudity. It also doesn’t work on videos yet, only static images. But for parents worried about what their kids might encounter in messages, or adults who want an extra layer of protection, it’s a welcome addition.
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Dwayne Cubbins
1266 Posts
For nearly a decade, I've been deciphering the complexities of the tech world, with a particular passion for helping users navigate the ever-changing tech landscape. From crafting in-depth guides that unlock your phone's hidden potential to uncovering and explaining the latest bugs and glitches, I make sure you get the most out of your devices. And yes, you might occasionally find me ranting about some truly frustrating tech mishaps.
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