Question Best replacement app for Message+?

[Billie7]

Verizon shut down Message+ and forced all users to start using Google Messages back in Nov. I finally have time to look into a better app and am wondering what I can use.

Message+ features I need:
- can check texts on my phone and tablet (both Samsung Galaxys)
- scheduling texts
- easy to send group texts
- can set separate tone for incoming texts

Biggest annoyances from Google Messages:
- group texts require so many steps. If someone changes the label on their end, it changes the label of the text for me as well even if it doesn't make sense and why do I have to label every group text?? If someone doesn't reply to the thread but sends a text to the same people in the group, all history of the convo is lost unless you go back to the prior thread.

 

[VidJunky]

Welcome to Android Central forums. This question was asked a few times a few months ago when this change was announced. I'll add the threads that I can find below.

Most suggested Google Messages. Google Messages has a web client, you can schedule messages, group messages are not an issue, and you can customize ringtones for individuals or the whole app. These are kind of the standard for many SMS apps. Next SMS/Handcent, has all of these features as well as Chomp and many others.

Question Post in thread 'Verizon is switching from message+ to google messages. . .notification sound help!'

Oct 3, 2024

Well this depends on how you accidentally delete the message.

Like many of you I use gestures so for me, I accidentally delete my messages by swiping them away trying to return to my home screen. By default swiping messages away sends them to archive and they can be recovered from there from the settings menu. Now if you choose to delete the message by choosing something that says "delete" the result may be different but this archive glitch has saved me many times. In fact you can set it up to archive if swiped in one direction and a different action, I assume delete, in the other...

• BerryBubbles

• 

Post in thread 'Verizon Message+ alternatives?'

Oct 4, 2024

I'm a GMessages user and have been even before all of this. I did like Messages+ though. I started off with M+ and then found out I could bootleg RCS through Messages with the help of another app so I did that until M+ started offering it. Then I switched back but I noticed that none of my messages were chats, I wasn't getting or seeing read receipts, I never saw typing, but I just assumed it was because I had RCS and they didn't. That was until Messages came out with a version that didn't require the bootleg. Then most of my messages were chats. It was like someone flipped a light...

• SeeBeeEss

• 

H

Thread 'Verizon Messages+ going away. Best text messaging apps as an android user?'

Oct 7, 2024

I currently have Verizon messages (and I am a Verizon customer) but unfortunately that app is being discontinued in November and I was checking to see what apps Android users recommend for text messages?

I have been looking into Textra but does anyone have any advice or feedback on Textra. Please let me know

• hiran1228
• Replies: 0
• Forum: Android Apps

• 

 

[SyCoREAPER]

Google Messages will be the only with RCS/Chat features.

If you just needs SMS without chat;
- Textra is often recommended, dont care for it.
- Pulse SMS

Unfortunately SMS is being stripped from everything and it's Google Messages (or Samsung for the time being until that's removed if you have Samsung). Beyond that it's pick which of the 20 messaging apps different people use.

Shame Beeper never took off.

 

[Billie7]

Welcome to Android Central forums. This question was asked a few times a few months ago when this change was announced. I'll add the threads that I can find below.

Most suggested Google Messages. Google Messages has a web client, you can schedule messages, group messages are not an issue, and you can customize ringtones for individuals or the whole app. These are kind of the standard for many SMS apps. Next SMS/Handcent, has all of these features as well as Chomp and many others.

Question Post in thread 'Verizon is switching from message+ to google messages. . .notification sound help!'

Oct 3, 2024

Well this depends on how you accidentally delete the message.

Like many of you I use gestures so for me, I accidentally delete my messages by swiping them away trying to return to my home screen. By default swiping messages away sends them to archive and they can be recovered from there from the settings menu. Now if you choose to delete the message by choosing something that says "delete" the result may be different but this archive glitch has saved me many times. In fact you can set it up to archive if swiped in one direction and a different action, I assume delete, in the other...

• BerryBubbles

• 

Post in thread 'Verizon Message+ alternatives?'

Oct 4, 2024

I'm a GMessages user and have been even before all of this. I did like Messages+ though. I started off with M+ and then found out I could bootleg RCS through Messages with the help of another app so I did that until M+ started offering it. Then I switched back but I noticed that none of my messages were chats, I wasn't getting or seeing read receipts, I never saw typing, but I just assumed it was because I had RCS and they didn't. That was until Messages came out with a version that didn't require the bootleg. Then most of my messages were chats. It was like someone flipped a light...

• SeeBeeEss

• 

H

Thread 'Verizon Messages+ going away. Best text messaging apps as an android user?'

Oct 7, 2024

I currently have Verizon messages (and I am a Verizon customer) but unfortunately that app is being discontinued in November and I was checking to see what apps Android users recommend for text messages?

I have been looking into Textra but does anyone have any advice or feedback on Textra. Please let me know

• hiran1228
• Replies: 0
• Forum: Android Apps

• 

Thank you and yes I saw it has been discussed before but was hoping there are some new apps or updates.

Google Messages makes sending group texts difficult as I mentioned in my original post. Handcent does not work across devices and neither does Chomp.

 

[Billie7]

Google Messages will be the only with RCS/Chat features.

If you just needs SMS without chat;
- Textra is often recommended, dont care for it.
- Pulse SMS

Unfortunately SMS is being stripped from everything and it's Google Messages (or Samsung for the time being until that's removed if you have Samsung). Beyond that it's pick which of the 20 messaging apps different people use.

Shame Beeper never took off.

Thanks but Textra doesn't work across devices. I looked into Pulse but don't remember what it was that it didn't have off of my list.

 

[VidJunky]

Handcent does have a desktop version, not that I'm trying to convince you, but you can find it here.

https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=2ahUKEwjsrpvgsqaMAxXHDHkGHaXXCBAQFnoECBYQAQ&url=https%3A%2F%2Fapps.microsoft.com%2Fdetail%2F9pl2j04dm452%3Fhl%3Den-US%26gl%3DUS&usg=AOvVaw2rtTXv1f6yD_G1g9HrX6br&opi=89978449

I've liked several SMS apps over the years. Handcent was probably my first and was my favorite for several years. Then I got into Messages+ until RCS became a thing and somewhere in there I went back to Handcent but left due to ads. If I'm not mistaken, Handcent was the one that put the ads in like conversations. So when you looked at your inbox you'd see 8 to 10 conversations and one of those was an ad and one of the apps I tried also had banner ads in the conversation. The things I liked about HC was allowing you to create an account which gave you several customizations, the ability to SMS anywhere you could log in, a private folder that you could lock with a pin, and a built in backup optiopn. If it weren't for the fact that it had ads and then later would not do RCS, I likely would still be using it.

Google offered this list of apps to replace Google Messages

For SMS apps that offer a better experience than Google Messages, consider Signal, Textra, or Telegram, known for their security, features, and user-friendliness. [1, 2, 3]
Here's a more detailed look at some popular alternatives: [2, 3]
Focus on Security and Privacy: [2, 3]

• Signal: Renowned for its strong end-to-end encryption, Signal is a top choice for those prioritizing privacy. [2, 3]
• Telegram: Offers a feature-rich experience with a focus on security, including secret chats and cloud-based storage. [1]

Focus on Features and Customization: [4, 5]

• Textra: Known for its customizable interface, themes, and advanced features like GIF search, and scheduled messages. [4, 5]
• Chomp SMS: A popular option for those looking for a highly customizable SMS experience with a wide range of themes and features.
• Pulse SMS: Allows you to sync your text conversations across all Android devices, including Android TV, Apple devices, and web browsers. [6]

Other Notable Alternatives: [1, 7]

• WhatsApp: A widely used messaging app with a large user base and a focus on ease of use. [1, 7]
• Viber: Another popular cross-platform messaging app with features like video calls and group chats. [1]
• iMessage: Apple's default messaging app, offering seamless communication across Apple devices. [8]
• Line: A messaging app popular in Asia, with features like free calls and video calls.
• Messenger: Facebook's (now Meta's) unified group messaging app. [9]
• Simple SMS Messenger: A simple and lightweight SMS app with a focus on ease of use.
• QKSMS: An open-source SMS app known for its simplicity and customization options. [10]
• Mood SMS: A user-friendly SMS app with a focus on customization and features like typing indicators and real-time caller ID. [11]
• SimpleTexting: Offers an SMS and multimedia messaging service (MMS) marketing solution. [12]

Here is a link to a similar list from someone different.

https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=&ved=2ahUKEwiIh8iYtqaMAxW_C3kGHUz0LmwQFnoECCoQAQ&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.reddit.com%2Fr%2Fandroidapps%2Fcomments%2F1akzcdp%2Fdefault_google_messages_app_alternative%2F&usg=AOvVaw0bJO93bDGzk5tKmEmO2ToX&opi=89978449

 

[SyCoREAPER]

Thanks but Textra doesn't work across devices. I looked into Pulse but don't remember what it was that it didn't have off of my list.

Cost likely., lifetime used to be $10. Now it's a lot more. I tried it again recently, after disliking a lot of changes. It's gotten a lot better. Still no RCS is a deal breaker for me.

I did try Beeper again today. It's a lot simpler to set up, still not perfect but good all in one for those with friends that can't agree on one messenger.