Ever accidentally reply with a rude “no” instead of a more kindly “No, thank you” because you clicked on a smart reply without thinking? A new Google Messages should prevent that from happening in the future. Google is rolling out “Tap to draft,” a toggle that should help users avoid accidental one-tap responses. The option is beginning to appear in stable versions of the Google Messages app across Android after a period of beta testing.
Smart Replies use Google’s on-device and cloud AI systems to place quick, context-aware responses above the compose box. Until now, tapping a Smart Reply chip would immediately send the message.
Now, with “Tap to draft” switched on, tapping a Smart Reply inserts the text into the compose field as a draft. Users can edit the reply, add context, or delete it before they press send, giving them an extra layer of control.
If you like the immediacy of Smart Replies, don’t worry: “Tap to send” is an option, not an immovable feature. The new toggle sits in Messages settings under Suggestions (or Suggestions & Actions, depending on the app version). From there, users can turn Smart Replies on or off, and pick whether taps draft messages first or send them instantly.
For users who do not yet see “Tap to draft,” keeping Smart Replies disabled is likely the safest choice, lest you accidentally respond with something embarrassing during an important conversation.
