Need to use voice SMS on your Android device? Here are a few ways to do it..
You can write your messages and have them read aloud by your Android device via the voice commands of the operating system, or via free download applications in Google Play Store such as "utter!" Voice Commands ”.
We have listed the best methods below and added quick tutorials on how to use each of these applications..
Note: The guide below applies to any Android brand (Samsung, Google, Huawei, Xiaomi, etc.).
How to activate "OK Google"?
This application from Google, installed by default on most Android devices, provides the basic functionality of voice SMS without the need for additional software. When your mobile is running on Android 4.4 or later and you have activated the "Voice and audio activities" function, you can use the "OK Google" voice SMS functionality..
It all starts by saying this expression “OK Google”. If the function is activated, you will receive a response to the order. But, if nothing happens when you try to use it, you will need to enable Google voice detection. Here are the steps:
Step 1. Open the Google app.
Step 2. Tap on the menu button, represented by three horizontal lines and usually located in the lower right corner of the screen.
Step 3. When the menu appears, choose “Settings”.
Step 4. Tap “Voice”, then “Voice Match”.
Step 5. Confirm the messages appearing on the screen to enable voice detection from inside the Google app.
If this is your first time using the voice detection feature in your device and saying “OK Google”, you may be prompted to turn it on whether you like it or not.
Before speaking a command, you can also tap the microphone icon found in the Google app or in the search bar on your device's Home screen.
Some examples of the commands to which "OK Google" will respond:
- “Show me my latest messages. »: Your five most recent messages will be read aloud, and Google's virtual assistant will first notify you of the sender of each message and ask you if you want it read or ignored. You can also answer them using just your voice.
- " Send a message. ": If you hope to send a new message instead of replying, say" Send a message. "To the" OK Google "command. You will be asked to indicate the name of the person to whom you want to send an SMS and to dictate the content of the message. It's simple and you can do it without your hands.
- "Are there any messages? »: This notifies you of new messages that you may have received.
- "Show me the last message." ": This command shows you the most recent conversation.
Use the Google Assistant
The other way to use Google voice commands is with the Google Assistant app which is free in Google Play. After installation, just open this app and say the same voice commands as mentioned above in the “OK Google” part when prompted.
Third-party applications to read your messages
In addition to Google's built-in voice assistant, there are several third-party apps capable of sending and receiving voice-only text messages. Here are some of the most famous.
- "ReadItToMe": This app reads incoming messages to you aloud and even interprets them in your language. If necessary, it can be very useful when you receive a lot of messages with misspellings or shortcuts.
- “Text by Voice”: This allows you to send and receive SMS only with your voice and can be configured to automatically read all incoming messages aloud while you are driving or during user-specified intervals.
- "MessageLOUD": This app not only transforms your messages into audio but also transforms Skype, WhatsApp and Facebook messages into audio.
- “Speaking SMS & Call Announcer”: The function of this app is basic but essential, as it can read the sender's name and message content aloud on command.
