You can ask the Gemini mobile app to send text messages for you with the Messages extension. With the Messages extension, Gemini can use your phone’s default messaging app to send messages. You can also ask it to help compose and edit messages.
Important: We're gradually releasing this extension, so it might not be available to you just yet.
What you need
- An Android phone or tablet.
- An active mobile phone plan.
- The Gemini app, including as your mobile assistant. Learn more about the Gemini mobile app.
- The Messages extension isn’t available in Gemini in Google Messages, the Gemini tab in the Google app on iPhone, or the Gemini web app.
- Gemini Apps Activity on.
- Extensions are only available when Gemini Apps activity is on.
- Save contact info from your signed-in devices on.
- The Messages extension can send text messages to contacts saved to your Google Account. Learn how to sync your device contacts to your Google Account.
- The following Android app permissions given to the Google app: Contacts and SMS.
Important:
- For now, the Messages extension isn’t available on lock screen and works with prompts in English only.
- While the Messages extension currently works in English only, the Gemini mobile app can still help you send messages in other languages with help from Google Assistant. Learn more about Google Assistant features in your Gemini mobile app.
- Gemini Extensions are not available in features powered directly by Google Assistant.
- Messages that you create with the Gemini app are not end-to-end encrypted.
Turn on the Messages extension
Based on your settings, the Messages extension might be on by default. You can turn this extension off at any time in Extensions settings. Learn how to turn off extensions.
- On your Android phone or tablet, open Gemini
.
- Ask it to send a message to one of your contacts.
- If Gemini doesn’t use the Messages extension, add
@Messagesto your prompt. If the extension is off, you’ll get the option to turn it on
- If Gemini doesn’t use the Messages extension, add
- Follow the on-screen instructions.
Tip: Extensions work in the same way for both spoken and typed prompts. If 'Hey Google' doesn't work, check if 'Hey Google' and Voice Match are set up.
Example
- Help me write a congratulations message to [contact name] on their 25th anniversary.
Actually, make it a haiku.
Send a message
You can ask the Gemini mobile app to send a message in any way that feels natural and conversational to you.
Try these example prompts:
- Send a message to [contact name].
- Text [contact name] [message].
- Ask [contact name] [question].
Tip: By default, the Gemini mobile app uses the last extension it used to message the same contact. If the Gemini app uses the Messages extension, it uses your default SMS app on your Android device. Learn how to change your default SMS app.
Manage settings
Sync your device contacts to your Google Account- On your Android phone or tablet, open the Gemini mobile app
- At the top, tap your Profile pic or initial
Settings
- Turn on Save contact info from your signed-in devices.
Important: To use Messages extension, the Google app needs permissions for Contacts and SMS.
- Touch and hold the Google app
.
- Tap App info
- To change a permission setting, tap it, then choose Allow or Don't allow.
Important: Some steps may vary by device and Android version.
- On your Android device, open Settings
.
- Tap Apps
- Tap SMS app.
- To change the default app, select the SMS app you want to use.
What the Messages extension can’t do
- Read or summarize your messages.
- Create or message group chats.
- Add or read images, gifs, or memes in your messages.
- Add or play audio or videos in your messages.
- Read or respond to message notifications.
- While this feature isn’t supported with Gemini Extensions yet, your Gemini mobile app can read and respond to your message notifications with help from Google Assistant, even with the Messages extension turned off. Learn more about Google Assistant features in your Gemini mobile app.
About your data & communication extensions
The Gemini mobile app uses your data to help it choose the most helpful extension to use and connect you with the right person. Learn more about your data and communication extensions.
How extensions work in Gemini Apps
- Gemini Apps only use extensions that are on in your Extensions settings. This includes extensions you turn on when you specify them in your prompt with an "@" mention.
- Gemini Apps check for extensions that can help it generate a more helpful response. If a Gemini app finds an extension that can help, it automatically sends information from your conversation and other relevant information to that extension. For example, Gemini Apps will send your location data to Google Maps if you ask for coffee shops near you and the Google Maps extension is on.
- Gemini Apps won’t access your personal content in other services without your permission. Some Gemini Extensions are designed to automatically work with tools, apps, and content on your device to help you seamlessly interact with it.
- If you directly interact with another Google service in Gemini Apps, your activity might be saved by that other service. For example, if you watch a YouTube video in a Gemini app, YouTube may:
- Collect your personal information.
- Store and use that information according to YouTube’s terms of service.
- Store your watch history in your YouTube History. Learn how to manage your YouTube watch history.
- Gemini Apps can use extensions to help you connect with third-party apps and services. When they do, Gemini Apps share information with those apps and services to fulfill your requests. That information is then used by those third-party apps and services according to their own developers' privacy policies.
Learn more about how extensions work with your personal data.