Google Messages Rolls Out Smart Reply Send Controls in v20260511

4 articles · Updated · jetstream.blog · May 16

Google Messages has officially released a Smart Reply setting in version v20260511 that lets users choose whether a suggested reply is drafted first or sent immediately.
In the app’s Suggestions menu, “Tap to draft” places the suggested text in the compose field for editing, while “Tap to send” dispatches the reply with one tap.
The mid-May rollout turns a feature that briefly appeared for beta testers around March 2026 into a wider release for the Android SMS, MMS and RCS client.
Google also replaced the earlier toggle-based design with radio buttons, clarifying that users must pick one of the two Smart Reply behaviors.

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