The short answer: in the Gmail app, tap Compose, then Help me write at the top right. Type what the email should say, for example “A thank-you note to my neighbor for watering my plants,” and tap Create. Read the draft, fix anything that’s wrong, then tap Insert and send (Google). On an iPhone with Apple Intelligence, you can write your own rough email and use Writing Tools to tidy it (Apple). No built-in AI? Any chatbot, such as ChatGPT or Gemini, can write a draft for you to copy into your email.
A request you can copy
AI writes better emails when you tell it who the email is for, what it’s about and the tone you want (Google). Fill in the brackets:
Write a short, friendly email to [who] about [what]. Mention [one or two details]. Keep it under 100 words and sign it [your first name].
Example: “Write a short, polite email to my doctor’s office asking to move my appointment on Tuesday the 3rd to later that week. Sign it Linda.”
Option 1: Gmail “Help me write” (phone or computer)
- Open the Gmail app and tap Compose (bottom right). You can also open an email and reply.
- At the top right of the window, tap Help me write.
- Type your request and tap Create.
- Don’t like it? Tap Recreate for another version. You can’t go back to an earlier version once you do this.
- Tap the text to make changes, then tap Insert (Google).
Already typed something? Tap Help me write and choose Polish, Formalize, Elaborate or Shorten, then tap Replace (Google). On a computer, click Compose and use the prompt bar at the bottom of the window (Google).
Good to know: to personalize drafts, Help me write can pull details such as flight times or booking codes from your other emails and Drive files (Google). Check that any detail it adds is correct.
Option 2: iPhone Writing Tools (Apple Intelligence)
- Write your email in Mail, even if it’s rough.
- Select the text, then tap the Writing Tools button.
- Tap Proofread to fix spelling and grammar, or Rewrite and pick Friendly, Professional or Concise. You can also tap Describe a change and type what you want, such as “make it warmer.”
- When you’re happy, tap the done button and send (Apple).
Writing Tools work in most places you type, including other apps and websites. On iOS 27 they need an iPhone 15 Pro or newer model with Apple Intelligence (Apple).
Option 3: Copilot in Outlook
If your Outlook has Copilot, start a new email, select the Copilot icon and choose Draft. Type your request and select the Generate arrow. Change the length or tone, or try again, then select Keep it, edit and send (Microsoft). If you can’t access Copilot in Outlook, Microsoft suggests checking with your IT admin (Microsoft). Not everyone’s Outlook includes it.
Option 4: Any AI chatbot (ChatGPT, Gemini and others)
- Open the chatbot app or website and paste in the request from above.
- Ask for changes in plain words: “shorter,” “more formal,” “add that I’ll bring dessert.”
- Copy the text, paste it into a new email, and add the recipient and subject yourself.
New to these apps? See how to use AI to explain anything.
Check these four things before you press Send
- Facts: dates, times, amounts and names. AI can get these wrong or make them up.
- Tone: does it sound like you? Cut anything too formal or too gushing.
- Recipient: the right person in the To line. See how to send an email step by step.
- Privacy: no account numbers, passwords or health details you wouldn’t want stored (Google).
A word about scams
Scammers use AI too, so a well-written email isn’t proof it’s real. If an email asks you to pay, click a link or “verify” an account, check it first. See how to spot fake emails and phishing and how to spot AI scams.
Questions people ask about writing emails with AI
Is it OK to use AI to write my emails?
Yes, as long as you read the draft and fix anything that isn’t right. You’re still the sender, so the facts, names and tone are your responsibility.
Is ‘Help me write’ free in Gmail?
Google says it’s available with an eligible Google Workspace or Google AI plan, and on personal Google Accounts in the U.S. in supported languages (Google). If you don’t see the button, your account may not have it yet.
Which iPhones have Writing Tools?
Writing Tools are part of Apple Intelligence, which on iOS 27 needs an iPhone 15 Pro, iPhone 15 Pro Max or an iPhone 16 or later. It isn’t available in every language or region (Apple).
What should I never type into an AI tool?
Passwords, Social Security or Medicare numbers, bank or card numbers, and private health details. Google, for example, says human reviewers read some Gemini chats and asks you not to enter confidential information (Google).
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