Google Calendar Adds a Third Time Zone While Messages Moves Timestamps Behind a Swipe

In Calendar, users can now configure the app to show three time zones simultaneously, up from the previous limit of one primary and one secondary zone. The chosen zones appear side by side on the left of the main calendar grid. Each zone can also be given a custom label, so a user could tag EST as "NYC" or PST as "LA." When creating or editing an event through Find a Time, Calendar displays the same three zones.

The Calendar rollout started September 25 and Google warns that it could take up to 15 days for the feature to become visible. It applies to Workspace customers, Workspace Individual subscribers and users with personal Google accounts. The change follows a late-August Calendar update that gave meeting organizers and their delegates the ability to choose whether to receive RSVP emails and automatic responses.

In Messages, the app is changing how users reach the details attached to a message. Previously, tapping a message in a chat surfaced its metadata directly underneath, including the timestamp, delivery status and encryption status. Under the new design, which Android Authority reported was first spotted by 9to5Google, users swipe left in a chat to view timestamps and encryption details. The information appears for all messages in the conversation at once rather than requiring a tap on each individual message.

Swiping right instead sends a reply. Tapping on a message still does something, but now shows only delivery status.

The new interface has been seen in version 20260910_03_RC02 of Messages. It is not yet clear whether that specific release is required to receive the change, and users who do not see it are advised to make sure they have installed the latest updates. Work on swipe gestures for viewing timestamps began in 2024, and after a period of beta testing the interface is now reaching users widely.