Google’s Messenger app gets a handy quick reply feature

Quick reply in action. Screenshots: Killian Bell/Cult of Android

Quick reply in action. Screenshots: Killian Bell/Cult of Android

Google’s own Messenger app for Android has been updated with a useful quick reply feature — just like that in iOS 8 — that lets you respond to text messages from almost anywhere in a flash.

Quick reply works on devices running Lollipop, and it lets you respond to messages as they come in via the drop-down notification. Simple tap the “Reply” button, type your response, and hit send. You don’t need to open up the Messenger app, and you don’t need to stop whatever you’re doing.

While Messenger is one of the cleanest and simplest text messaging apps on Android — and the most attractive if you’re a fan of Material Design — it’s also becoming one of the most useful. In addition to quick reply, it boasts the ability to block senders, audio messages, emoji, and more.

Last month, Google also brought support for animated GIFs and a handy home screen widget.

Like all Google apps, Messenger is free, and you can download it now from Google Play via the link below.