Gemini will soon let you send a WhatsApp message to your mom without app login
Users can also send messages and control apps without enabling chat history tracking.
AI assistants came with big promises, to be the only digital sidekicks we’d ever need. But when they first landed, most of them felt... underwhelming.
Instead of boosting productivity, they often seemed like stripped-down versions of tools we already had. Basic tasks like setting an alarm or sending a message were either clunky or unavailable.
Over time, though, that’s started to change. Gemini, Google’s new go-to AI assistant, is finally shaping up to become the smarter, more integrated helper Android users were promised. And this week’s quiet upgrade is a sign we’re getting closer.
Emmanuel Oyedeji
According to an email spotted by Android Police and confirmed by Google, Gemini is receiving a key update on July 7, 2025, that allows access to system-level features like Phone, Messages, WhatsApp, and Utilities, even if Gemini Apps Activity is turned off.
Previously, these tasks required enabling the setting, which saved your chat history to Google’s servers. Now, you can use these features without giving up that level of privacy.
Image Credit: Android Police.
That means you’ll be able to say, “Send a WhatsApp to Mom,” or “Turn on Do Not Disturb,” and Gemini will do it, no chat logging required. It’s a win for anyone who wants assistant features without constant data collection. Google still keeps conversations for up to 72 hours for “safety and feedback,” but they won’t be used to train the AI unless you opt in.
It’s also a smart move, especially now that Gemini has largely replaced Google Assistant across Android devices. Before, turning off Apps Activity meant losing functionality. Now, you don’t have to choose between privacy and convenience.
Emmanuel Oyedeji
Compared to Siri or Bixby, which still depend heavily on their ecosystems and data collection, Gemini is starting to pull ahead. It’s one of the few AI assistants offering deep system access while letting users control how much they share.
This isn’t the final form of AI-powered assistants just yet; there’s still room to grow. But it’s a promising step forward. Gemini isn’t just getting smarter, it’s becoming more private, more capable, and finally, maybe, an assistant worth sticking with.
