Google Messages is introducing a much-needed tweak to its Smart Replies feature that should reduce the chances of users accidentally sending the wrong AI-generated response. The app’s latest beta release adds an option that lets users review suggested replies before sending them.
Currently, Smart Replies in Google Messages offers short AI-generated responses that match the context of the last message you received right above the compose box in the chat. Tapping one of these suggestions immediately sends it to the recipient, which can be convenient but also risky.
Accidental taps can send messages before users have the chance to review or modify them, which can be frustrating or even embarrassing, especially if the suggested response does not match the user’s intended tone or contains a misinterpretation of the previous message.
According to 9to5Google, the latest Google Messages beta release fixes that with a new “Tap to Send/Draft” toggle in the Suggestions settings. This option allows users to decide what happens when they tap on one of the suggested Smart Replies. With the toggle off, tapping on the suggested responses sends them immediately. When enabled, tapping inserts the suggestion into the text field as a draft, allowing users to review and edit it before hitting send.
This adds an extra step to the process, so it may not appeal to users who prefer the seamlessness of Smart Replies. However, for those prone to sending the AI-generated responses by accident, it’s likely to be a welcome improvement. For now, the “Tap to Send/Draft” toggle is currently available in Google Messages beta v20260303 and has not yet rolled out to the stable channel. A wider release is expected in a future update.
