Quick replies offer a lifeline when you’re overwhelmed, struggling to find a moment to respond to a flurry of messages. Ignoring contacts, even those who know you’re busy, isn’t ideal. But responding with a curt message can feel rude. Acknowledging messages with a quick reply – letting someone know you’re occupied and will respond later – strikes a balance.
I recently started exploring the quick reply and suggestion features within Google Messages, and have found them particularly useful for postponing calls. Here’s how to set them up, and how they work on most devices running the latest version of Android, including Samsung Galaxy devices with One UI.
Setting up Smart Replies in Google Messages
One-Tap Acknowledgment Takes Some Social Stress Off
Smart replies are AI-generated suggestions. When a smart reply appears, you simply select it to send. You can’t manually edit these suggestions, so the accuracy of the AI in understanding the context of the conversation is crucial. I initially hesitated, concerned about misinterpretations, but most of my chats in Google Messages are relatively short and straightforward.
Crucially, you must approve any suggested reply before it’s sent. This provides a layer of control. I avoid using the feature for highly personal or sensitive conversations, opting for short, direct replies in those cases.
To enable smart replies in Google Messages, open the app, tap your profile icon, then select “Messages settings.” Scroll down and tap “Suggestions,” then toggle “Smart Reply” on.
I also experiment with the Magic Compose feature. It provides contextual suggestions for replies, and can even adjust the tone of your message. While the results are sometimes generic, it’s a useful tool for quickly drafting a response.
Finally, I enable the “Nudges” feature. This displays message reminders at the top of my chats, prompting me to respond to messages I’ve overlooked.
Using Quick Responses in the Phone App
Decline a Call with One Fast and Professional Message
The quick responses feature in the Phone app allows you to decline calls with a pre-written message. You can select from existing templates or create your own. I typically use a message like, “I can’t pick up the phone, but I’ll get back to you later,” or “I can’t talk right now, send a text on what you need.”
To set this up, open your Phone app and select “Settings.” In the Samsung Phone app, you can find this under “Call assist” then “Text call.” Alternatively, in Google’s Phone app, navigate to “Quick responses.”
Using these features helps manage expectations and ensures I can respond to messages when I’m able, without feeling constantly tethered to my phone.
Gmail Also Has a Smart Reply Feature
Email generally allows for a more relaxed response time. Google’s Smart Reply feature is also available in Gmail, offering AI-generated suggestions for replies. For more detailed responses, a Google Workspace Business or Enterprise account is required to access the Contextual Smart Reply feature powered by Gemini.
