Adjust a reply in one tap: Shorter, Warmer, Direct and more

Why adjust exists

Often the first reply has the right idea and the wrong feel. Too long for a text, a bit stiff for a friend, too soft for a client who keeps pushing. Rewriting it yourself takes longer than it should. Asking again from scratch loses the idea you liked.

Adjust keeps the move and changes how it sounds. The point of the reply stays the same. Only the delivery changes.

That matters because the move is the hard part. Deciding to say no but offer the pick-up is the judgement. So is holding your price while giving a later check-out. How many words it takes is just fit.

What each option does

Shorter cuts it to the line that matters. Good for texts and anyone who replies in three words.

Longer adds a reason or a detail, for when a short reply would read as cold or dismissive.

Warmer adds care: a thank you, a bit of feeling, an offer. For friends, family and anyone who is upset.

Direct takes out the hedging and says the thing plainly. For a no, a boundary or a deadline.

More casual loosens it up so it sounds like a message, not a letter.

More confident drops the apologies and the "just checking". Useful when you are asking for money, a decision or a date.

More professional tidies it for a client, a recruiter, your boss or a landlord without making it stiff.

You can stack them. Shorter then Warmer is a common pair for texts. Direct then More professional suits a firm email.

One reply, three ways

A friend wants a lift to the airport at 4am on Friday and you cannot do it. Here is the first reply, then the same move made Shorter and Warmer.

WhatsAppSaying no to a favour

They said: hey any chance you could drive me to the airport friday?

They said: flight's at 6 so we'd leave about 4 🙈 would owe you big time

Read the room

A big ask softened with an emoji and a promise. A 4am start is a lot, so decide what you can offer before you reply. You can say no and still offer something smaller.

First reply

I can't do Friday, I'm working early myself and a 4am start would wreck me. I could pick you up when you land though if that's useful?

Shorter

Can't do Friday, sorry. Could pick you up when you're back?

Warmer

Ah I wish I could, Friday's a work day and I'd be useless at 4am. I'd love to come and get you when you land though. Send me the flight?

You still have the last word

Adjust gets you close. You can still edit any reply before you send it. Nothing is sent without you. If you find yourself making the same edit every time, save the version you like as a saved reply.

Questions

Can I use more than one adjustment?

Yes. Each tap works on the reply you have now, so Shorter then Warmer gives you a short, warm version of the same move.

Is adjust on the keyboard too?

Yes. The iPhone keyboard (in pilot) has the same options for the reply it offers. The Android keyboard will too when it arrives.

Get this in your keyboard

Breezily reads the message, tells you what is going on and gives you replies to pick from. In Chrome today. Keyboards for iPhone and Android on the way.

Add to Chrome, it’s free

iPhone in pilot. Android coming soon.

Adjust any reply in one tap