Google Messages adds Tap to Draft option for Smart Replies

Google Messages has introduced a new "Tap to Draft" feature for its Smart Replies, fundamentally changing how users interact with AI-suggested responses. The update, now rolling out to the stable version of the Android app, inserts a suggested reply into the message compose box as a draft instead of sending it immediately. This gives users a chance to review, edit, or delete the text before it is sent, aiming to prevent accidental or awkward messages.

Previously, tapping a Smart Reply chip would instantly send the message, a convenient but sometimes risky behavior that could lead to unintended communication. The new feature is designed to offer more control, allowing users to personalize a suggested reply by adding context, names, or emojis to make it feel more natural. The change addresses a long-standing user concern about the potential for mistakes with the original instant-send function.

The feature is implemented as a user-selectable setting. Within the Google Messages app, users can navigate to Settings, then to the Suggestions or Suggestions Actions menu. There, they will find options to enable or disable Smart Replies entirely and, if enabled, to choose between "Tap to...