How to change the default messaging app on android

You can send and receive text messages, photos, voice messages, and video using Messages. If you don't have Messages, you can get it from Google Play.

Make Messages your default messaging app

Important: Some of these steps only work on Android 6.0 and up. Learn how to check your Android version.

Important: Your messages are stored in the SMS database on your device, and other apps may be able to access your messages. For more information about how to manage your app permissions, contact your device manufacturer.

If your device has more than one messaging app, you can make Messages your default messaging app. When you make Messages your default messaging app, you can review your text message history in the Messages app, and you'll only be able to send and receive new text messages in the Messages app.

To set Messages as your default messaging app, select an option:

1. Open the Messages app
   
   . Learn where to find your apps.
2. When prompted to change your default messaging app, follow the onscreen instructions.

Alternatively:

1. Open Settings 
   
   .
2. Click Apps.
3. In the list of apps, click Messages  
   
   SMS
   
   Messages .

If you no longer want Messages to be your default messaging app, you can uninstall the Messages app or change your default messaging app from your device's settings.

Start a conversation with one of your contacts

If a contact is already in your phone, it will show as a contact in your Messages app. You can also add a new contact from within the app itself.

1. Open the Messages app .
2. Tap Start chat.
3. Enter the name, phone number, or email of the person you're sending a message to.
4. Type your message and tap
   
   .

Add a new number in your conversation list as a contact

1. Open the Messages app .
2. Select an existing conversation with someone not in your contacts.
3. Tap More
   
   
   Add contact.

Add a new contact from a group conversation

1. Open the Messages app .
2. Select a group conversation with the number you want to add as a contact.
3. Tap More
   
   
   Details.
4. Tap the number you want to add
   
   Add contact.

Change notification settings for specific people

1. Open the Messages app .
2. Open a conversation with the person you want to change notifications for.
3. Tap More
   
   
   Details
   
   Notifications.

You can turn notifications on or off completely for this person, or edit advanced settings for how notifications display on your device.

Don’t like the default text messaging app that came with your Android smartphone anymore? Not to worry, it’s super easy to change it.

Since its earliest of days Google has made it possible to change the default SMS app on your phone. So you can simply download an alternative like Textra or Pulse and set it as your default SMS app.

No matter what version of Android you have installed (it can be an older one) you can simply change it to another texting application of your choosing.

Doing so varies from phone model to phone below and below we’ll show you how to do it on two different phones. But first, you’ll need to have an app like Textra or Pulse installed on your Android handset.

How to Change the Default Messaging app on Android

Using an OnePlus 5T with Android 8.0 Oreo

1. Access the Settings Menu by swiping down the notification shade or tapping on the Settings icon
2. Scroll down until you find Personal>Apps
3. Tap on Default (it’s the third option)

1. Tap on SMS app and tap on your preferred texting app

Using a Samsung Galaxy A3 (2016) with Android 7.0 Nougat

1. Access the Setting Menu by swiping down the notification shade
2. Scroll down until you find Apps
3. Tap on the three-dot menu located in the top right of the screen
4. Tap on Default apps

1. Tap on Messaging app and choose your preferred texting app

Why would you want to switch to a third-party SMS app? Well, there are plenty of reasons. The most obvious one is that they allow users to customize their conversations in numerous ways from letting you to pick the color of the text bubbles to choosing the color of the LED notification light that announces you have a new text.

Secondly, some of these apps offer an encrypted way to communicate, so if you’re worried about privacy it would be a good idea to switch to a more secure way to communicate with friends and family.

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• TAGS
• Android
• default
• how to
• SMS app
• textra
• tips
• tricks

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Alexandra Arici

A slight synesthesiac with a love for words. Follower of all tech trends, daydreamer and art enthusiast. Contact me at [email protected]

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