Google Messages gets 'Tap to Draft' for safer replies
What's the story
Google is making its messaging platform, Google Messages, a lot smarter by introducing a new feature called "Tap to Draft." The update is aimed at reducing the chances of accidentally sending smart replies. The new behavior can be found in the app's settings under Suggestions and Smart Reply. The new preference has been observed in a beta build (20260303_00_RC00). Users can choose between two options: "Tap to Send" for instant message delivery or "Tap to Draft" for editing before sending.
User experience
A 2-step process for added control
The "Tap to Draft" feature is designed to give users more control over their messaging. When enabled, this option places the suggested reply directly into the text field for further editing before sending it off. This two-step process ensures that users have a chance to review and edit their messages, reducing the risk of accidental sends.
Information
Availability and testing phase
The "Tap to Draft" feature is available in the beta version 20260303_00_RC00 of Google Messages. However, it hasn't yet made its way into the stable channel. This indicates Google is still testing this new functionality and ironing out any potential issues before a wider release.