How to Send Hands-Free Audio Messages on Android

Google Assistant lets you do tons of stuff on your Android Phone completely hands-free, and a recent update adds recording and sending voice messages over text to that list.

WhatsApp users will probably point out a similar feature has existed in the Android app for a few years, but this new Google Assistant function applies to the Google Messages app. Google Assistant can record, trim, and send voice via MMS and RCS text to any contact saved on your phone without requiring a single button press. It’s incredibly convenient, and here’s how you do it:

1. Say “Hey/OK Google” to call up Google Assistant on your device.

2. Say “Send an audio message to [contact name].”

3. Record your message, but make it snappy— Google Assistant starts recording the moment after you say the “Send an audio message to [name],” and stops recording if it notices anything longer than a brief moment of silence. 

4. Google Assistant will ask if you’re ready to send the message. You can say “Yes” to send the message, or “No” to cancel. If you’re able to tap the screen, you can select the “Play” button to listen to the recording before sending or the “Redo” icon to try again (There are on-screen buttons for “Send” or “Cancel” as well).

I don’t usually send voice messages, but after sending a few with Google Assistant like this, I see the appeal. I mostly use digital assistants for hands-free device controls while driving or engaging in other hands-on activities. And I often call upon the likes of Google Assistant or Siri while I’m cooking, so maybe I’ll start using this if I need to send a message when my hands are covered in flour.

I think it nicely compliments Google Assistant’s ability to read out third-party app notifications, too. Just make sure you regularly delete saved recordings from your Google Assistant’s history.