Google Assistant may soon let you to send texts directly from lock screen

Google is reportedly working on Google Assistant to enable users to send texts directly from the lock screen. Currently, you can’t send a text from the lock screen using Google Assistant, though that may change in the coming times. A server-side A/B test this week sees Google Assistant’s “send a text” command work directly from the lockscreen. The side test has also been noted to coincide with the latest Google app beta, version 10.28. The command now actually sends the text once you specify the recipient and message, then, Assistant provides a visual and verbal confirmation too.

Currently, if you have to send a text from the lock screen using Google Assistant, an “Unlock to continue…” response shows up on the screen and prompts you to enter your passcode. However, being an A/B test, the functionality is not widely rolled out. Still, we’ll have to see how Google balances convenience and functionality with security.

We haven’t received the update on our Pixel 3 unit yet, but it looks like people at 9to5Google got a chance to use the new feature. “On our Pixel 3 running Android 9 Pie, Google Assistant lockscreen texting is fully operational. However, that is not the case on another Pixel 3 running Android Q and a Pixel 2 XL we checked. One tip to us also revealed how the feature worked briefly before disappearing,” said 9to5Google. Hence, it is still unclear when the feature will be rolled out or if it will be rolled out at all. 

Although, if it does roll out widely, it will be a welcome feature for the ones who like to be handsfree on phones. It will definitely be a time-saver. Additionally, as Assistant is part of the Google app, the new feature should work on non-Pixel Android phones as well.

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