Gemini Can Now Make Calls and Send Messages While Your Phone Is Locked
Since Google renamed Bard to Gemini earlier this year, the opportunity has emerged to completely replace Google Assistant with the company’s artificial intelligence . If you really don’t like artificial intelligence, Google Assistant was the best choice for now, since Gemini didn’t have features that would limit what you could rely on it for.
However,Google is improving and expanding the bot’s capabilities . Even if it’s not a perfect Google Assistant replacement, you may find it more functional than before. Case in point: Google gives Gemini the ability to send a message or make a phone call on your behalf without having to first unlock your phone.
As 9to5Google reports , Google now allows you to make calls and send messages using Gemini while your phone is locked. It follows the broader Use Gemini Without Unlocking feature, which allows you to ask Gemini questions, create reminders, and add entries to your calendar. This can be a useful change: Previously, you would ask Gemini to text or call, but then you would have to unlock Android to continue. A digital assistant is supposed to make your life easier, and being able to bypass this authentication makes things easier.
However, I can’t help but see a privacy gap here. This extra step required to unlock your phone will protect you. Without this, someone may ask Gemini to call or text someone on your behalf—whether you want it or not. For most of us, this is probably a small problem, but it really is true. If you want to use this feature, consider the privacy implications first and then decide if it’s worth the (potentially small) risk.
How to use Gemini without unlocking your phone
You will find this option in the Gemini app settings on Android. ( This feature is not available on iPhone .) Go to Gemini on the lock screen , then turn on the switch next to Make calls and send messages without unlocking .
Google now says you’ll need to first enable Gemini in your calling and messaging apps before the feature can work. This makes sense, but as 9to5Google writes, these extensions are not yet available to all users. However, if you can’t enable calling and messaging apps in Gemini, they will still work, although the feature will work through Assistant. In any case, the important point now is to activate this switch – if it is available.
However, there will be times when Gemini will still require you to unlock your phone after a request – especially when the response contains “private content” – don’t expect a seamless interaction every time.
If you don’t see this setting yet, sit tight: Google is already rolling it out, so it’s likely coming to your Android phone in the near future.