Android system messaging app

Change the Default Messaging App on Android

> How-To > Android > Change the Default Messaging App on Android

How to Change the Default Messaging App on Android?

Thanks to Android’s open ecosystem, if you’re not happy with the default SMS app, you can easily change it. There are many third-party messaging apps available via Google Play you can try them out. No matter what version of Android you had installed, Android 4.4 Kitkat, Android 5.0 Lollipop, Android 6.0 Marshmallow or the latest Android, you can change the default messaging app to some other text applications with ease like Hangouts, GoSMS pro or Textra.

Part 1: How to Change the Default Messaging App on Android

If you do, or wish to use a custom SMS app instead of the default Messaging one, here’s how to set it up for your device:

Phones with the latest Android (take OnePlus as an example):

Step 1 Swipe the phone screen and open “Settings“ app. Scroll down to find “App & notification“.

Step 2 Then, tap on “Default apps“ > “SMS app“ option.

Step 3 In this page you can see all available apps that can be set as default SMS app. Check your preferred texting app.

Phones with Android 8 (take OnePlus as an example):

Scroll to find Settings app again. Tap on “App“ option under “Personal“. Tap on “Default“ > “SMS app“ option. Choose another app you like.

Phones with Android 7 (take Samsung as an example):

Scroll down the notification shade to enter Settings app. Tap on “App“ option. Tap on the gear wheel icon in the top-right corner. Tap on “Default“ apps and change one desired app.

That’s it, now you will receive new SMS messages through this client. Also, then you can simply change it back whenever you want.

Part 2: How to backup Android Messages on custom SMS App on one-click

If you would like to backup messages on Android phone or tablet, Syncios Data Transfer could be your best choice. It backs up messages not only on Android built-in app, but also the third-party SMS app, such as Hangouts, GoSMS, Textra, etc. It takes only one click to backup and restore text messages and more.

The program is compatible with Windows and Mac PC. Click the download button provided below to get a Syncios Toolkit onto your computer. And then click into ‘Phone Transfer’ mode on the interface to initiate the Syncios Data Transfer. If you are on Mac computer, directly click the download button to get into it.

Step 1 Run Syncios Data Transfer, and connect your android phone or tablet to computer using USB cable.

Step 2 On the homepage, click «Backup». You can clearly see the free space of the default backup path, if it has not enough storage space or you want customize a save path, click on the icon under «Backup to». Then tick «Text Messages» option in the middle.

Step 3 Click «Next» button to start copy. After a while, all of your messages on default messaging app would be backed up on computer.

Tips: Syncios Data Transfer provides three different modes to you to restore backed up data, from local backup file, from iTunes backup file or from iCloud backup files, you’re allowed to restore messages on your Android or restore to iPhone whenever you want with only one click.

Part 3: How to backup Android Messages on custom SMS App Selectively

Sometimes, to backup or extract parts of the messages for keeping them permanently or printing out, what is the easiest way to backup them selectively? Syncios Mobile Manager is the best Android phone manager, which can flexibly manage messages, contacts, music, photos, videos and apps on Android.

Step 1 Download and install Syncios Toolkit on your computer and run it. And click into ‘Mobile Manager’ on Syncios Toolkit interface to intiate the Syncios Mobile Manager. If you are on Mac computer, directly click the download button to get into it.

Step 2 Connect your Android phone to the computer via USB cable which is quicker and more stable, then tap on ‘Information’ tab on the top menu. After completely loading, further press ‘Messages’ on the left panel, you can browse detailed contents of every message in the right-hand dialog box. Just tick off the box of what you need to transfer and click on «Backup» button to transfer the selected messages from Android to computer.

To recover the backed up messages one day, just connect target device to the computer: Go to Information >> Messages >> Recover.

Tips: If you would like to browse backed up massages on your computer, you can instruct to «Save» the Messages to «HTML» files and open them via web browser, Notepad or Microsoft Word.

Conclusion

Now you know how to change the default messaging app on an Android phone, and then how to backup all Android Messages on custom SMS app, like Hangouts, GoSMS, Textra in a click via Syncios Data Transfer or backup part of the messages selectively through free Syncios Android Manager. And both of the methods enable us to recover backed up messages to other mobile phones later.

Syncios Mobile Manager (Win and Mac):

Syncios Data Transfer (Win and Mac):

Источник

These are the Best Text Messaging apps for Android: Google Messages, Chomp SMS, Pulse SMS, and more!

As chat platforms like WhatsApp and Telegram have become popular over the last several years, the good old SMS had to take a back seat. Still, SMS messages aren’t going anywhere anytime soon. Text messaging is still quite popular in countries like the US, and while your friends and family may not be pinging you on SMS as much, you’re still likely getting dozens of text messages from companies and service providers every day. To keep track of all these text messages on your Android phone, you need a good app. While the pre-installed apps work fine most of the time, they’re relatively barebones. So we’ve selected the best text messaging apps for Android you can download right now.

Messages

Previously known as Android Messages, the Messages app from Google is the company’s official app for texting and RCS messages. It comes pre-installed on Google’s Pixel series and select other phones but other Android users can download it from Google Play.

The Messages app packs support for sending text messages via your computer or pretty much any device that has a browser. Additionally, there are basic theming options, search support, spam protection, and a lot more. You can also send group texts, emojis, GIFs, stickers, videos, and audio messages using the app. Moreover, you get the power of Google Assistant right in your texting app.

Messages is free to download and use. New versions of the app have also been updated to support Google’s Material You theming.

Источник

10 Best Text Messaging Apps for Android

These are the best text messaging apps for Android in 2020. This guide explains why you should use one of these apps instead of what came pre-installed on your phone, and how to text or make calls for free. Plus, we’ll show you how to change your text app. Texting is something we all do daily, and these apps will make texting better and easier.

Most pre-installed text messaging apps aren’t very good, nor are they customizable. Thankfully, on Android, you can download dozens of texting app alternatives on the Play Store. These let you change the notification icons, bubbles, add themes, make phone calls, text over WiFi, get more emoji, and deliver a faster experience. Try one today.

Best Text Messaging Apps for Android

• Textra SMS
• Google Messages
• Chomp SMS
• Pulse SMS
• Handscent Next SMS

• Go SMS Pro
• Facebook Messenger
• Mood Messenger
• QKSMS
• Yaata SMS

When you download a new text messaging app for Android you don’t have to transfer anything. All of your text, MMS, and conversations will automatically transfer into the new app. So don’t worry about losing anything, just enjoy everything you gain and any new features. And if you’re one that texts all the time and need more battery, try this portable battery charger.

Textra SMS

Hands-down the best text messaging app for Android is still Textra, even here in 2020. At least in my humble opinion. It’s fast, full of helpful features or customization, and is constantly improving. It’s one of the most user-friendly options on the market.

Textra lets you change everything. From the font size, color, or bubbles, to an entire dark mode or custom backgrounds. I like being able to make the font and bubble colors what I want, then match the notification icon to that color. You can change the notification icon for individual contacts, too.

This app offers text delivery reports, will automatically save pictures from texts to your gallery, and we love the quick reply option in the notification pulldown bar. There’s even an option to have a quick compose bar always present in your notification shade so you can send a text without opening any apps.

All said and done, Textra is beautiful, easy to use, customizable and fast. Some apps on our list are great, but they’re not very easy to use. That’s not a problem with Texta. They do have an optional in-app purchase, but it’s totally worth it. Otherwise, you’ll have a little ad at the end of your conversation list.

Google Messages

Perhaps the best overall text messaging app, or experience, is Google’s own Android Messages app. Luckily, it’s already installed on several phones on the market today and it’s full of useful features. It’s what we recommend the most, and is your best bet if you don’t want to customize everything on Textra.

Google’s Messages app is fast, easy to use, customizable, and even has an option where you can send and receive texts from a computer or tablet, send texts for free, and even make calls over wifi. You’ll enjoy smart replies, different themes, emojis, stickers, RCS-support, and much more.

Furthermore, at the end of 2019 Google finally turned on full RCS support in Messages for US users, which gives you iMessage features on Android. Carriers are working on something similar, but hopefully, they all just integrate into something like Google Messages. Honestly, it’s probably the only app that truly gives Textra a run for its money.

Chomp SMS

If you like tons of customization with your texting setup, try Chomp. They explain their app as a souped of version of your stock text and MMS app, and that’s basically what it is. It isn’t as pretty as Textra but has plenty of options. If you like having pictures behind all your text messages, like a background wallpaper, give Chomp a try.

Just like Textra, you can customize the color of notifications for each specific contact, if you want. It’s a great touch, and something many enjoy. You can choose from hundreds of free themes to personalize your messaging experience. Some features include scheduled SMS sending, group MMS, delayed send, pinning favorite conversations to the top, and number blocking. Chomp SMS has a quick compose feature too, although we prefer Textra.

Users can long-press messages for more options, or “blacklist” numbers from texting you with ease. It works with Pushbullet, MightyText, supports dual SIM for texting and more. It’s another great choice for users.

Pulse SMS (Previously EvolveSMS)

Another powerful text messaging app is Pulse SMS, from the developer of the old EvolveSMS app. The developer is popular in the world of Android, known for making great apps that are highly customizable, and Pulse is no exception. It’s a great text app alternative worth considering and we love all the notification controls and options.

Not only can you customize every aspect of this application, but you can apply entire themes with ease. Or, download additional themes from the Play Store from 3rd party creators, making the options endless. It’s fast, easy to use, works with Wear OS, and you can even send or view GIFs and videos inside the app. Yes, GIF support in a 3rd party text app.

We also enjoy features like private messages, password encryption, batch-deletes, archives, text message backup options, Wifi messaging or calling and more. You can even send a text from the web through Pulse and your phone. Yes, this app has a little of everything.

Handcent Next SMS

If your default app is a bit too simple for you, check out Handcent. This is probably one of the most customizable and advanced options on the Google Play Store. In fact, it’s almost too customizable. It’s a bit convoluted and confusing for most, and I’ve had friends or family members call and ask for help setting it up. Once you do though, it’s great.

Handcent recently revamped its look and changed the name to Handcent Next, but we still prefer Textra. That said, it features quick reply pop-ups, vcards, themes, skins, and a powerful backup and restore system. Allowing you to save your entire text message collection and even your custom settings. That way getting Handcent setup on a new phone is a breeze.

If another user has Handcent you can send messages over WiFi (online messages like WhatsApp) without getting text charges from your carrier. Or, use Anywhere to send texts from a PC.

Handcent even lets you draw little images or doodles and send them as messages, supports more emoji options than most, and simply has more options than almost anything out. If you want control over everything, try this. Keep in mind that too many options can lead to the app being slow or sluggish.

Go SMS Pro

Another popular one that’s been around for a while is GO SMS, for several reasons. The Pro version is free, but an in-app purchase will unlock even more options and features that make it very powerful. This is the only paid app in our list but it does have a pretty capable free version.

Go delivers a “Private Box” for personal messages, and even free online text messaging with GO chat. We like that you can sticky specific conversations to the top of the list like a GF or family member. Also, they support quick reply pop-ups like many others on our list.

Go also has auto-reply and spam blocking controls, scheduled messages, and the paid version lets you backup and save all your messages to the cloud. That way you can instantly restore them on a new phone. The only downside is you’ll have to spend almost $10 to get everything it has to offer.

Facebook Messenger

Considering millions of people still use Facebook daily, and the Facebook Messenger, it had to make our list. Plus, this messenger has a few added benefits and features people will enjoy.

For one, you can choose to combine your phone text messages with Facebook Messages all into the app, giving you one unified area for communications, which is nice. Then, you get all the obvious benefits of Facebook if you’re someone that uses the platform often.

It’s not the most battery-friendly app and there are ads, but Facebook fans will feel right at home and be happy to know this can do everything if you let it. Plus, it’s probably already on your phone.

Mood Messenger

Another solid option is Mood Messenger, which actually has a lot of fans for various reasons. On the flipside, the free version is just a basic text messages application. You’ll have to pay $1.99 a month or more for all the best features that make it a standout app.

Our favorite aspects of Mood are the dark mode, number blacklisting for spam messages (or an X) and the SMS encryption security. But again, that stuff costs money and isn’t included in the free version. For a single $10.99 payment you get almost everything, and the monthly subscription gets you text backup and restore, tons of themes, a privacy locker to secure and hide text messages, and more.

QKSMS

This next one is rather new to our list, but could be one of the best, simplest and most enjoyable text messenger apps for Android. It’s an open-source app so other people can improve on it or add features, should they have the technical know-how. For everyone else, keep reading to learn more.

QKSMS is amazingly simple, clean, and easy to understand. There’s not a bunch of colors or themes everywhere, although you can add them if you want. It’s also ad-free, fast, and has a bunch of text and mms privacy features. Not to mention usual things like customization, text backup and restore, text message scheduling, night mode and a pretty helpful search mode. That way you can search for a name or a specific term to find it in a long conversation thread, which is nice.

For how powerful and useful this app can be, it’s still very easy to use and has a clean and simple interface.

Yaata SMS

Last but not least, for now, is a rather new text messaging app called Yaata that a lot of people are really enjoying. Don’t mind the screenshots of jibberish below, and instead, check out all the features and options it has to offer.

With Yaata you’re getting almost one or two features from everything in our list, making it one overall excellent text app. We like the SMS blacklisting, text auto-reply features, and the ability to backup and restore text messages with ease. However, some of those require a subscription.

Additionally, Yaata SMS offers things like chat-head popups similar to the Facebook Messenger for quick and easy replies, Wear OS support, and even text message widgets for quick and easy access. I don’t like the idea of my text messages being visible in a widget on my homescreen, but for some people that’ll be very helpful. While it’s still new and has some bugs to fix, it’s a great alternative worth trying.

How to Change Your Text Message App

When you download a new text app for Android you’ll have to tell your phone to use it over the one that came pre-installed. Most of these apps will walk you through the steps and setup process the first time you use it. Textra, for example, does everything for you when you open it for the first time. It’ll have you set Textra as your “Default Text App” in settings. That way you won’t get double text notifications from the original app on your phone, and your phone knows to use Textra instead of say — Samsung’s Messenger.

So, simply download one of our Android messaging apps from the list, then open it up. A pop-up will surface and ask you if you’d like to “set as default” and that’s it. Simply select yes or ok and now it will be your text app from here on out. Or, head to settings, tap the magnifying glass to search, and look for “Default Apps” and change your default SMS app.

Here are the full instructions for Samsung users, or any Android phone for that matter.

Final Thoughts

Most devices come with at least one messenger program pre-installed, and some even have Google Messages too. If so, keep it and enjoy everything it offers. For everyone else, we recommend trying one of the 10 apps above over your carriers text app. Like Verizon Messages, get rid of that ASAP.

Another honorable mention is the mySMS app. They let you send and receive texts from your computer or a tablet. Everything syncs across devices and it’s seamless, easy to use, and fast. Perfect for sending texts with your number from a computer at work.

All said and done our favorite is Textra or Pulse, but we recommend everything on this list. Give one a try today and enjoy all the options and controls.

Источник