Google Assistant is a virtual assistant that can search the web, set appointments, and send text messages, among other tasks. If your Google Assistant is not sending text messages as instructed, then there is likely a problem with your contacts or the Google app. Here we’ll help you get to the bottom of it.
Check if Google Assistant Voice Commands Are Working
To isolate the problem, start by figuring out if your device’s voice commands are working properly. Try using Google Assistant to perform a simple voice command web search. If Google is unable to complete this task, then you know the problem is not limited to text messaging.
If other Google Assistant voice commands are working properly and the problem appears to be limited to text messages, then it is likely because of an error in your contacts. Another possible culprit is incorrect permissions settings in the Google app.
Make sure that Google Assistant voice commands are turned on. If they are, retrain the voice model to make sure it understands you correctly. You can also try resetting the Google app to its original state.
Check Your Contact Numbers for Errors
Open the Contacts app and check your contact numbers for errors. Extra spaces, parentheses, periods, and commas can block calls and texts from going through.
Make Sure Google Assistant Has Permission to Send Texts
Google Assistant relies on the Google app to work properly, meaning it needs a variety of permissions to carry out voice commands. Permissions settings control which apps have access to the functions of your mobile device, such as calling, texting, and recording.
To avoid problems, all phone numbers should follow this format: 555-555-5555. Parentheses and other characters—as in (555) 555-5555—can interfere with Google Assistant’s ability to route calls and messages.
If you want to send text messages with Google Assistant, the Google app needs permission to use the short message service (SMS) function on your phone.
Here’s how to adjust Permissions on an Android device:
- Open the Settings app, and select Apps & notifications.
- If you have an older version of Android, you may need to select Apps instead of Apps & notifications.
- Select Google.
- Select Permissions.
- Make sure the slider next to SMS is slid to the right. If the slider is slid to the left or grayed out, Google Assistant cannot send or access text messages.
- Check to see if Google Assistant is now able to send text messages. If it isn’t, reset the Google app to its original state.
Reset the Google App to Original Settings
If you have verified that there are no errors in your contact phone numbers and your Google app has the correct permissions, the next step is to reset the Google app to its original state.
If you have an iOS device, Speech Recognition permissions can be found under Settings > Privacy > Speech Recognition.
Open the Settings app, and select Apps & notifications.
If you have an older version of Android, you may need to select Apps instead of Apps & notifications.
Select Google.
Select Permissions.
Make sure the slider next to SMS is slid to the right. If the slider is slid to the left or grayed out, Google Assistant cannot send or access text messages.
Check to see if Google Assistant is now able to send text messages. If it isn’t, reset the Google app to its original state.
This process eliminates any potentially corrupt data in the Google app. If it doesn’t do the trick you can also download and install updates to the Google app.
- Open the Settings app on your Android device and select Apps & notifications.
- If you have an older version of Android, you may need to select Apps instead of Apps & notifications.
- Select Google.
- Select Storage.
- Select Clear Cache.
- Select Clear Storage.
- In some older versions of Android and the Google app, you may need to select Manage Space instead.
- Select Clear All Data.
- Select OK.
- Tap the back button to return to the main Google app info screen and select the menu icon indicated by three vertical dots (⋮).
- Select Uninstall updates.
- Some older versions of the Google app don’t have this option. If you don’t see the option to uninstall updates, you are not be able to attempt this fix.
- Wait for the updates to uninstall and then select Disable.
- Select Disable App.
- Only disable the Google app temporarily as part of this troubleshooting process. Do not stop the troubleshooting process on this step. If you leave the Google app disabled permanently, your phone may not function properly.
- Select Enable.
- Check to see if Google Assistant is now able to send text messages.
- If Google Assistant still cannot send text messages, navigate to the Google Play Store and install the latest version of the Google app.
- Check to see if Google Assistant is now able to send text messages. If it still cannot send messages, you may have to wait for Google to issue a fix. Visit the official Google Assistant support forum to report your problem and check for additional information.
These instructions do not apply to iOS devices. However, you can delete either the Google or Google Assistant app and then redownload it.
Open the Settings app on your Android device and select Apps & notifications.
Select Storage.
Select Clear Cache.
Select Clear Storage.
In some older versions of Android and the Google app, you may need to select Manage Space instead.
Select Clear All Data.
Select OK.
Tap the back button to return to the main Google app info screen and select the menu icon indicated by three vertical dots (⋮).
Select Uninstall updates.
Some older versions of the Google app don’t have this option. If you don’t see the option to uninstall updates, you are not be able to attempt this fix.
Wait for the updates to uninstall and then select Disable.
Select Disable App.
Only disable the Google app temporarily as part of this troubleshooting process. Do not stop the troubleshooting process on this step. If you leave the Google app disabled permanently, your phone may not function properly.
Select Enable.
Check to see if Google Assistant is now able to send text messages.
If Google Assistant still cannot send text messages, navigate to the Google Play Store and install the latest version of the Google app.
Check to see if Google Assistant is now able to send text messages. If it still cannot send messages, you may have to wait for Google to issue a fix. Visit the official Google Assistant support forum to report your problem and check for additional information.
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