How-To Have Google Home Read Your Last Text Message

[muniz_ri]

**Updated 5/27/2017**

After installing this profile you will be able to say "Ok Google, read message," and have GH read your last received text message aloud including the name or ph# of the sender.

Video Demo

Part 1.
1. Download and install Tasker, Pushover, AutoCast BETA (you will need the full, paid version). Also download Read_Message.prf.xml
2. Once you have received the AutoCast BETA update via the Play Store, open the app, select "Manage Cast Devices," press +, then select your Google Home.
3. Open Pushover and create an account (it’s free).

Part 2.
1. Go to IFTTT.com and create the following applet:
a. “This” – Google Assistant channel - “Say a simple phrase”
i. Under “What do you want to say?” – Enter “please read message”
ii. Under “What do you want the Assistant to say in response?” – Enter “ok, reading message”

b. “That” – Pushover channel - “Send a Pushover notification”
i. Leave the "Title" field blank.
ii. Enter "read" in the message field.
iii. Select your device in the Device field. You can customize all other fields according to your preferences.

Part 3.
1. Place the "Read Message” xml file in your device’s Tasker/profiles folder (if these folders do not exist then create them).
2. Open Tasker and long-press “Profiles,” then select “Import” and import the xml file from Part 1.
3. Back-out of Tasker to save the profile. Done!

To have GH read your last text message aloud say "Ok google, read message." Enjoy!

**Important**
- GH must be connected to the same wifi network as your phone.
- Turn off battery optimization for Tasker, AutoCast, and Pushover or your device may disable these apps when idle.


Other Google Home Projects:
- Ask Google Home - Who Called?
- How-To Hear Missed Call and Unread Text Message Reminder on Google Home
- How-To Make Google Home Announce Incoming Calls and Auto-Read New Text Messages
- Google Home - Quick Todoist Update and Recurring Reminder
- Google Home Spotify Alarm
- How-To Reply to Text Message with Google Home
- How-To Send Text Messages via Google Home (Text Any Contact or Ph#)
- How-To Initiate Phone Calls via Google Home
- How-To Create Calendar Events using Google Home
- Google Home - Announce Incoming Notifications
- Start Navigation with Google Home

 

[Ken L]

Hi Muniz_Ri,

Thank you for putting all of these Google Home "How To's" together. I truly appreciate it. I was able to setup the following using your guide.

How-To Send Text Messages via Google Home (Text Any Contact or Ph#)
How-To Have Google Home Read Your Last Text Message
How-To Reply to Text Message with Google Home

However, I ran into a bit of an issue with Google Home reading my last text message. I know it has nothing to do with your step-by-step guidelines since it does work. Here's the issue - I selected "Living Room - Home", under manage cast devices in AutoCast, however, the message is read through my stereo speakers. I did have the option to cast it to my TV and Stereo because I do have ChromeCast TV and ChromeCast Audio as well, but I did not. I only selected Living Room - Home and it's marked as my favorite. I know it's a casting issue, but want to know if you or anyone else with ChromeCast Audio experienced this issue. And how did you go about resolving it. I don't want to change my settings in Google Home, if I do not have to, since I do like the ability to cast music to my stereo. Thank you.

 

[muniz_ri]

I had this issue early on and was able to solve it by just toggling my WiFi on and off. AutoCast would then use the device that I had selected. I haven't had the issue since then.

 

[Ken L]

Thanks for getting back to me. I tried the toggling method and while it did work several times, it was never permanent. Autocast seems to default back to either my Stereo or even my TV a few times, but it mostly chose my Stereo. It was really wonderful when it did work. I was hoping it would stick. Also, I've noticed that it does not cast/read message if the phone is off (in the lock position). I have a Galaxy S7, like you.

 

[muniz_ri]

Thanks for getting back to me. I tried the toggling method and while it did work several times, it was never permanent. Autocast seems to default back to either my Stereo or even my TV a few times, but it mostly chose my Stereo. It was really wonderful when it did work. I was hoping it would stick. Also, I've noticed that it does not cast/read message if the phone is off (in the lock position). I have a Galaxy S7, like you.

Yep, I had to modify the tasker profile on my device by adding a popup that briefly turns on the screen in order for AutoCast to run when the screen is off and the device locked. This issue seems to be limited to the S7 as far as I know.

 

[Ken L]

Hello again. Thanks for the tip. It really helped! Even though I am new to this, I was able to create something in Tasker to make it work. Here are my screenshots. I wasn't sure if Pushover or AutoCast was the app to use, so I created both and assigned the Task to their Profile. Since my phone is not rooted, etc. I did not have the "Stay On" or "Turn On" option, which is fine because now when the message is read, the phone is still in the off/locked mode. The display/screen does not light up (For example, when you press the power button). Now, all I have to take care of is having AutoCast cast it to my Google Home in the living room. It's been a split between my TV and Stereo, but mostly stereo. Do you have Guest Mode (with the 4 digit PIN) on with your Google Home?

https://get.google.com/albumarchive...wa&authKey=CL6Q3u7Rh_n6Yw#6487947015460872258

 

[Ken L]

Hey, I have an idea. Would it be possible to create a Task in Tasker, whereby it will connect to your Living Room Home's IP Address each time the Profile is run? As you can see, AutoCast already displays the device's IP address. Just gotta find a way to force it to cast to it. I've already emailed creator of the app seeking advice if there's a way to delete Cast Devices after clicking the "+," but I haven't heard back.

 

[Ken L]

Ok. I finally got it working by clearing the data and cache from the AutoCast app, toggling the wi-fi on and off, and removing guest mode from my TV and Stereo, but adding it to my Google Home. This way, I get to manually add the 4 digit pin when the pop up for casting occurs. It's been working fine for the past 2 days now. I hope this helps for whoever else encounters this issue as well.

 

[muniz_ri]

Updated the Read Message xml file to include a 1 second popup when the task is triggered. This solves an issue where the AutoCast plugin in the task will not run on some devices when the screen is off.

 

[Ken L]

Thanks for the quick reply. I downloaded your updated Read Message xml file, but was not able to get it to work yet. The phone did not display any popups so that AutoCast can start. Did I need to create another task (Pushover or AutoCast application) in the Profile page?

However, I figured out my casting problems. And this is huge. I had to manually go into the Read Message file and clicked on Configuration (the pen), then Advanced, and manually type in "Living room Home" next to Manual Device. After that, AutoCast worked flawlessly whether I had Living room Home as the first option under Cast Devices or not. It even worked after I restarted my phone. It took a while, but this really worked for me. No Guest Pin was needed for the TV, Stereo, or Google Home.

https://photos.app.goo.gl/2BTYEkCpUYo8ER0F3

 

[muniz_ri]

Thanks for the quick reply. I downloaded your updated Read Message xml file, but was not able to get it to work yet. The phone did not display any popups so that AutoCast can start. Did I need to create another task (Pushover or AutoCast application) in the Profile page?

However, I figured out my casting problems. And this is huge. I had to manually go into the Read Message file and clicked on Configuration (the pen), then Advanced, and manually type in "Living room Home" next to Manual Device. After that, AutoCast worked flawlessly whether I had Living room Home as the first option under Cast Devices or not. It even worked after I restarted my phone. It took a while, but this really worked for me. No Guest Pin was needed for the TV, Stereo, or Google Home.

https://photos.app.goo.gl/2BTYEkCpUYo8ER0F3

Try deleting the current profile then importing the new profile then reboot.

 

[Ken L]

Thanks for the quick reply. I downloaded your updated Read Message xml file, but was not able to get it to work yet. The phone did not display any popups so that AutoCast can start. Did I need to create another task (Pushover or AutoCast application) in the Profile page?

However, I figured out my casting problems. And this is huge. I had to manually go into the Read Message file and clicked on Configuration (the pen), then Advanced, and manually type in "Living room Home" next to Manual Device. After that, AutoCast worked flawlessly whether I had Living room Home as the first option under Cast Devices or not. It even worked after I restarted my phone. It took a while, but this really worked for me. No Guest Pin was needed for the TV, Stereo, or Google Home.

https://photos.app.goo.gl/2BTYEkCpUYo8ER0F3

Try deleting the current profile then importing the new profile then reboot.

It Works! Major Thanks, Dude! I should've known I needed to delete and re-import it. I simply copied it into the Tasker, Profile folder. I am still a novice... Have a great night!

And screenshots of Manual Device where I typed "Living room Home" and then selecting "Living room Home" under Device afterwards to make AutoCast cast to my Google Home.

https://photos.app.goo.gl/32vdRHxk0sqwTGF72