Bought S21+. Why have a big screen if half of it goes to waste?

I bought an S21+, previously had a Pixel 3, iPhone before that. (referring to daily drivers only)

I've been in both ecosystems with secondary devices, and I've had a Samsung before so I anticipated this. I'm relatively capable so I knew I could replace most of Samsung's apps with ones that make use of the entire screen. Scrolling is an extra step I'd like to avoid.

What I didn't anticipate was the Google Messages app being Samsungized.

Is there a setting somewhere to force apps to launch the way I feel they should (see photos) as opposed to wasting half the screen?

I consider myself relatively knowledgeable, and my family calls me "Tech Support", so I'm absolutely ashamed I don't know the answer and have been unable to find the answer. For the first time in my life, a piece of technology has stumped me. I'm 21, I'm too young to be stumped by technology!! Lol. If anyone has a solution to my problem -- the tech one, not the existential crisis -- please let me know!! Thanks in advance

Thats part of Samsung One UI to be able to better one hand , you can try different message app but the UI will be like that stock

I see. There's no universal setting toggle?

I like Google messages but it seems to have a Samsung variant... Even though it's the Google one. I also don't want to lose RCS.

Originally Posted by RoyceRivard13

I see. There's no universal setting toggle?

I like Google messages but it seems to have a Samsung variant... Even though it's the Google one. I also don't want to lose RCS.

Unfortunately no unless you root and installed a custom Rom

Have you tried side-loading the standard messages APK? It's not something I've looked for...I like the over scroll, because I don't have 9 inch thumbs lol.

I haven't tried that, actually. I'm guessing I'd need to manually update it as well going forward if I do that? I only used to sideload games lol

Originally Posted by RoyceRivard13

What I didn't anticipate was the Google Messages app being Samsungized.

Yeah, I too am frustrated by the all-whitespace layout. My workaround is to make everything small:

Attachment 336586

Originally Posted by Gary02468

Yeah, I too am frustrated by the all-whitespace layout. My workaround is to make everything small:

Attachment 336586

That's what's known as a pyrrhic victory.

Originally Posted by fuzzylumpkin

That's what's known as a pyrrhic victory.

Not at all. A major attraction of the S21U for me is that I get the resolution of a desktop monitor on a screen that fits in my pocket. If I didn't want that, I'd get a device with a less expensive lower-resolution display.