HowTo: Reading incoming text message handsfree

[mikebol]

Just purchased my first Android phone and looking for help on setting up the device to be able to read incoming text messages aloud. My previous phone would ask me to read the message aloud when it arrived, read it to me, allow me to reply and send all via voice.

It looks like the GS7 (and Marshmallow) can do this from the settings I've seen. However, I cannot get it to read anything when a message is received.

What am I missing?

Mike

 

[B. Diddy]

Welcome to Android Central! Try using Google Now: PSA: Google Now Can Read Your Last Five Text Messages Like An Answering Machine And Let You Reply To Them

 

[mikebol]

B. - I've followed the instructions on the link provided exactly and with some variance and Google Now simply will not read anything. I've gone through all of the settings and made sure voice packages are installed, Google Voice is set as the default, etc.

Suggestions? This is really disappointing, seems to be a basic feature with folks driving and receiving text messages and having the ability to reply via voice.

Mike

 

[B. Diddy]

Does Google Now get as far as showing you your most recent messages? Does it ask you if you want to hear the messages? If it just isn't reading them to you, go to the Google Now settings, tap Voice, and make sure Speech Output is turned on.

 

[mikebol]

Solved. Speech Output was not "On" but in "Hands Free only".

I have the hands-free option set to ON for BT devices. I thought that with my BT connected it would start working. Will having speech output always ON cause everything to be read?

EDIT: In order for this to work, the device has to be unlocked. So much for "hands free". Every corporate users will have a device that is locked due to email and security policies.

Mike

 

[Mdgolf775]

Solved. Speech Output was not "On" but in "Hands Free only".

I have the hands-free option set to ON for BT devices. I thought that with my BT connected it would start working. Will having speech output always ON cause everything to be read?

EDIT: In order for this to work, the device has to be unlocked. So much for "hands free". Every corporate users will have a device that is locked due to email and security policies.

Mike

Can you set up your car BT as a a "trusted" connection which keeps your phone unlocked? You can do the same with locations or wifi connections.

 

[Richard Durishin]

Can you set up your car BT as a a "trusted" connection which keeps your phone unlocked? You can do the same with locations or wifi connections.

This is quite a disaster for Android, especially after years of effortless SMS-ing over Bluetooth on Windows Mobile 7, 7.5, 8, 8.1 and 10.

I've been using an Android app called ReadItToMe with some success. It's worth a try.

The entire texting experience on Android really makes one miss the highly integrated nature of Windows 10 Phone. Too bad that ecosystem is so app deficient.

 

[enoughced]

Not enough apps for Lumia 950 Windows Phone but flawless reads your text messages aloud in your car and you are able to respond!
I don't understand why I have not found a Android that can do this 12/2016.........