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At Google I/O in May 2023, the company announced a Magic Compose feature for Google Messages. As the name suggests, it is a generative AI tool that lets you create contextually relevant replies to messages. After limiting it to the US for a few months, Google is now rolling out the feature internationally.
Magic Compose is now available to more Google Messages users
Google rolled out Magic Compose to Google Messages beta users at the end of May. At launch, the feature was “only available in English on Android phones with US SIM cards.” While an official support page still states this limitation, there have been reports recently that the new AI tool has made its way to some European countries, including France and the UK.
This hinted at an international rollout and it was. While the company hasn’t officially announced it, 9to5Google confirms that Magic Compose is now available to Google Messages users in markets outside the US. The AI tool is still in beta, though. Your Android phone must have the beta version of the Messages app installed to get Magic Compose. Google also recommends you install the beta version of Carrier Services.
Additionally, you must be 18 years or older and sign into Messages with your Google account to access the feature. Even if you meet all of these criteria, there is no guarantee that Magic Compose will be available to you. Google One Premium members get priority access to the AI tool. Staying in the beta program might increase your chances as more spots become available over time.
Magic Compose can create replies and change tones
Once available to you, the Magic Compose button will show up to the left of the text box on the old compose UI fn Google Messages—it’s a message icon with a tiny sparkle at the top. If you have received the redesigned UI, which is currently in beta, the appears on the right side of the text box.
When you tap this button, Messages will send up to 20 of your previous messages, including emojis, reactions, links, image captions, and voice transcriptions, to Google servers—messages with attachments, voice messages, or images aren’t sent. AI will then work its magic to generate relevant and contextual replies. You get multiple suggestions. The selected suggestion is placed in the text box so you can edit it before sending it.
The company assures that it “discards the messages from the servers” as soon as AI processes them to generate replies. It doesn’t keep messages “to train machine learning models.” Meanwhile, if you have already typed up a reply, Magic Compose helps you rephrase it into seven different tones or styles: Remix, Excited, Chill, Shakespeare, Lyrical, Formal, or Short.
