How-To Reply to Text Message with Google Home

[muniz_ri]

**Updated 3/25/2017**

This profile is most useful when paired with the Auto-Read New Text Messages profile. After listening to an incoming text message, you will be able to say "Ok Google, reply with..."

Video Demo

Part 1.
1. Download and install the Tasker, AutoContacts, and Pushover apps. Also download the Reply_to_Message.prf.xml (you will make use of this file in Part 3).
2. Open AutoContacts, grant all permissions and allow it to load your contacts (I recommend that you upgrade to the full, paid version or you will only have access to a limited number of contacts).
3. Open Pushover and create an account (it’s free).

Part 2.
1. Go to IFTTT.com and create the following two applets:

Applet# 1:
a. “This” – Google Assistant channel - “Say a Phrase with a Text Ingredient”
i. Under “What do you want to say?” – Enter “please reply with $”
ii. Under “What do you want the Assistant to say in response?” – Enter “ok, replying with $ , would you like to send this reply”

b. “That” – Pushover channel - “Send a Pushover notification”
i. Under “Title” enter “reply”
ii. Under “Device” select your device’s name. You can leave, or change, the other default entries according to your preference.

Applet# 2:
a. “This” – Google Assistant channel - “Say a simple phrase”
i. Under “What do you want to say?” – Enter “please send reply”
ii. Under “What do you want the Assistant to say in response?” – Enter “ok, reply sent”

b. “That” – Pushover channel - “Send a Pushover notification”
i. Under “Title” enter “reply”
ii. Under "Message" enter "reply"
iii. Under “Device” select your device’s name. You can leave, or change, the other default entries according to your preference.

Part 3.
1. Place the "Reply to 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 reply to a text message, use the following command format:
1. “Ok Google, reply with <followed by the body of your message>." GH will read back your reply and ask if you want to send it.
2. Say "Ok Google, send reply" to send or, restate your reply to make corrections. Enjoy!

**Important**
- Turn off battery optimization for Tasker, AutoContacts, 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 Have Google Home Read Your Last Text Message
- 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. I noticed that the reply program works correctly only when I initiate a text conversation. I cannot just say "reply with" after receiving and listening to a text from a random person. The reply message will end up going to the last person I initiated a text conversation with. Nothing wrong, just something to keep in mind for whoever is reading this.

 

[muniz_ri]

Hi. I noticed that the reply program works correctly only when I initiate a text conversation. I cannot just say "reply with" after receiving and listening to a text from a random person. The reply message will end up going to the last person I initiated a text conversation with. Nothing wrong, just something to keep in mind for whoever is reading this.

You should be able to use the "reply with $" command after receiving a random text message from any contact or ph#. It works for me each time.

 

[Ken L]

You should be able to use the "reply with $" command after receiving a random text message from any contact or ph#. It works for me each time.

I wonder if it's because my applets have "Reply with $" where my r is capitalized, but pushover has reply in lowercase under title? I tried changing my 3 options of saying it to lower case "r" and Google replies as if she was actually replying to me. Sounds weird. It wasn't understanding my command, more like a response to my "reply with."