Send text messages with the Gemini mobile app on Android

You can ask the Gemini mobile app to send text messages for you with the Messages app, which uses your phone’s default messaging app. You can also ask it to help compose and edit messages.

Important: We're gradually releasing this feature, 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 app is not supported in Gemini in Google Messages or the Gemini web app.
Gemini Apps Activity on.
- Apps are only available when Gemini Apps activity is on.
Save contact info from your signed-in devices on.
- With the Messages app, Gemini can help you 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.
- Learn how to manage Android app permissions.

Important:

Apps are are not available while using features powered directly by Google Assistant.
Messages that you create with the Gemini app are not end-to-end encrypted.

Use the Messages app with Gemini

Based on your settings, the Messages app might be enabled by default. You can disable this app at any time on your Apps page in Gemini settings. Learn how to manage apps in Gemini.

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 app, add @Messages to your prompt. If the app is disabled, you’ll get the option to enable it.
Follow the on-screen instructions.

Tip: Connected apps 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 it to [contact name].

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 app it used to message the same contact. If the Gemini app uses the Messages app, it uses your default SMS app on your Android device. Learn how to change your default SMS app.

Manage settings

Important: Even if you disable the Messages app, the Gemini mobile app can still access:

Your device contacts if the Google app has Contacts permission. Learn how to manage Android app permissions.
Your notifications if you use the Gemini mobile app in English and the Utilities app is on. Learn how to manage apps in Gemini.

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 Google Assistant features in Gemini Contact info from your devices.
Turn on Save contact info from your signed-in devices.

Learn how to manage contact info from your devices.

Go to setting

Manage Android app permissions

Important: To use Messages extension, the Google app needs permissions for Contacts and SMS.

Touch and hold the Google app .
Tap App info Permissions.
To change a permission setting, tap it, then choose Allow or Don't allow.

Check or change your default SMS app

Important: Some steps may vary by device and Android version.

On your Android device, open Settings .
Tap Apps Default apps or Choose default apps.
Tap SMS app.
To change the default app, select the SMS app you want to use.

What Gemini can’t do with the Messages app

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.

Tip: The Gemini mobile app may support some of these actions with help from Google Assistant or the Utilities app, even with the Messages app is disabled. Learn more about Google Assistant features in your Gemini mobile app and actions supported by the Utilities app.

About your data & communication apps

The Gemini mobile app uses your data to help it choose the most helpful app to use and connect you with the right person. Learn more about your data and communication apps.

How apps work in Gemini

Gemini only connects to apps that are on your Apps page in Gemini settings. This includes apps you turn on when you specify them in your prompt with an "@" mention.
Gemini checks for apps that can help it generate a more helpful response. If Gemini finds an app that can help, it automatically sends information from your conversation and other relevant information to that app. For example, Gemini will send your location data to Google Maps if you ask for coffee shops near you and the Google Maps app is on in your Apps page in Gemini settings.
Gemini won’t access your personal content in other services without your permission. Some apps are designed to automatically work with Gemini apps.
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 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.
If you disable the YouTube app, you can still talk Live about a video you’re viewing in the YouTube app.

Learn more about how connected apps work with your personal data.