Use AI to write a text or email to family
Sometimes the hardest part of a message is getting started. AI can give you a first draft in seconds. You stay in charge: you pick the words you like, change what does not sound like you, and send it yourself.
What you need
- The ChatGPT or Claude app, or the website on a computer
- A rough idea of what you want to say
Step by step
Open a new chat
Open ChatGPT or Claude and start a new chat. You will see an empty message bar at the bottom.
Tell it who, what, and how
The more you share, the better the draft. Try: "Help me write a short, warm birthday text to my granddaughter Emma. She just turned 16 and loves soccer. Keep it under 3 sentences and don't make it sound too formal." You can type this or tap the microphone to say it.
Read the draft out loud
Does it sound like you? If not, say so: "Make it sound more like a grandpa and less like a greeting card," or "Shorter, please." You can ask for changes as many times as you like.
Copy the text
On an iPhone, press and hold on the AI's answer and tap Copy. On a computer, look for the small copy icon under the answer.
Paste it into your message
Open your Messages or email app, start a message to your family member, press and hold in the typing area, and tap Paste.
Add your own touch, then send
Change a word or two, add an inside joke or a heart emoji. Then send it yourself. The AI never sends anything for you.
Good to know
- Keep private details out of the chat. First names are fine. Addresses, account numbers, and passwords are not.
- AI is great for hard messages too, like a condolence note or saying no politely. Ask it for a gentle tone.
- If a message ever asks you for money or a code, that is not from AI. That may be a scam. See our Scam Watch page.