‘Tap to Draft’ Google Messages Feature Will Stop You From Sending Smart Replies by Mistake

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…