Google Messages Adds Tap to Draft Feature to Prevent Accidental Sends

Google has released an update for its Google Messages app on Android, introducing a new feature called Tap to Draft. This addition aims to address the issue of accidental message sending through the app's smart reply function.

Previously, smart replies in Google Messages worked by sending a response immediately upon tapping a suggested reply, which appeared above the message input box. While this allowed for quick responses, many users reported accidentally sending messages by unintentionally tapping one of the suggestions.

With the latest update, the interaction with smart replies has been modified significantly. Instead of sending the message immediately, tapping a suggestion now inserts the proposed text into the message input field as a draft that can be edited.

This change gives users the opportunity to review or modify the reply before manually pressing the send button, enhancing control and reducing the chance of sending unintended or embarrassing messages.

Google has also provided users with the option to choose how smart replies function via the app's settings. By navigating to Settings, then Suggestions & Actions, and selecting Suggestions, users can switch between two main modes: Tap to Draft, which creates a draft before sending, and Tap to Send, which sends the reply immediately.

Despite the introduction of Tap to Draft, the default setting upon installation remains Tap to Send. Users who wish to use the new feature must enable it manually.

This update is seen as a minor but meaningful improvement to the daily user experience. Previously, many users disabled smart replies entirely to avoid accidental sends, whereas the new option offers a balance between quick suggested responses and safer message delivery.

Reports indicate that Google has started rolling out this feature gradually as part of the latest stable version of Google Messages for Android devices.