One of the under-appreciated features of Google’s Android mobile operating system is the ability to effortlessly switch between default apps. The default web browser, phone app, caller ID and spam app, digital assistant app, home app, and Short Message Service (SMS) texting app can all be easily replaced with third-party alternatives.
There are many reasons to criticize Google, but I want to give credit where credit is due. The tech giant has done a pretty good job in making Android a flexible OS, including messaging apps. If you’re wondering how to switch to a third-party text messaging app, or just want to try something other than Google Messages, all it takes is a few purposeful taps on the screen.
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How to switch the default SMS texting app on Android
The whole process takes just a few minutes
To switch from one Android texting app to another, follow these steps:
- Download a third-party text messaging app If it is not already installed on your Android smartphone, please download it from the Google Play Store.
- Find this third-party texting app from within your phone’s app drawer and Tap the icon to launch software.
- A splash screen will appear immediately. Tap . Set default SMS app button.
- From the list provided, Tap the texting app of your choice.
- Tap set as default.
Each messaging app has its own “Set as default messaging app” splash screen, but in each case there’s only one button you need to tap.
Similarly, the texting app of your choice will start acting as your new default. All existing text message threads are automatically updated and synced with no additional input required. The process to return to your previously selected texting app is the same, just in reverse.
If you’re looking for recommendations for great third-party messaging apps, Pocket-lint has a dedicated article on this topic. So some common options include:
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When it comes to modern Android text messaging, Google is the undisputed leader
Having said that, third-party SMS apps still hold their place in the market.
In recent years, we’ve seen Google actively work towards making its Messages app the de facto texting experience on Android. The tech giant has emphasized its proprietary implementation of the Rich Communications Services (RCS) protocol and brokered deals with giants such as Samsung to include the service by default on new phones.
In fact, as it stands, the Android Open Source Project (AOSP) or the “vanilla” version of Android doesn’t even have an actively maintained app for sending messages to friends and family. Instead, it’s up to smartphone OEMs and third-party developers to fill a space the size of Google.
I imagine we’ll eventually see an RCS-powered renaissance in the Android texting app scene.
Thankfully, the current selection of alternative SMS apps is not that large, but the available options are still updated regularly. If the new RCS texting standard continues to make its mark in the industry, and I have no doubt it will, I can imagine that we’ll eventually see an RCS-powered renaissance in the Android texting app scene.
Of course, a prerequisite is that Google will have to expose its proprietary RCS protocol to third parties in the form of a developer API. For the time being, the majority of texting apps on Android fall into one of two camps. One is apps that rely on the now outdated SMS standard, the other is WhatsApp, Discord, and others.
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