Replacement for stock apps

[VinnieHat]

Hey guys!
I run an S21 Ultra and I wanted to see what everyone uses to replace their stock apps(if they do). I've been back and forth with Samsung's and Google's message app. I like the design of some of Samsung's apps but maybe there's something better.

I'm curious what everyone uses! Thanks!

 

[Laura Knotek]

I've moved your thread to the Samsung S21 forum, since more people who have the same phone as you view that forum. You should hopefully get better help here.

 

[VinnieHat]

I've moved your thread to the Samsung S21 forum, since more people who have the same phone as you view that forum. You should hopefully get better help here.

Awesome, thank you!

 

[Laura Knotek]

Awesome, thank you!

You're welcome.

For SMS, I like Textra rather than the stock messages app.

In addition to Samsung keyboard, I also use SwiftKey and Gboard (rotate through all of these from time to time).

Instead of Samsung mail, I use Aqua Mail Pro.

I use the stock calendar and clock apps.

Instead of One UI, I use Nova Launcher Prime.

Hopefully other people will chime in with more suggestions.

 

[stevenjb2020]

I have a Google Pixel

Here are some of my go-to apps

NewPipe (YouTube alt) - F-Droid
Geometric Weather - F-Droid
Protonmail (Paid version)
Signal (SMS messenger)
Nova Launcher (Prime)

 

[VinnieHat]

Oh interesting! Thank you Laura and Steven. I'm always back and forth between Action Launcher and Nova Launcher. I've heard of Textra, and haven't used it in a while so I should give it another shot! Also ProtonMail looks pretty cool, so I'll check that out too.

 

[ABOSWORTH007]

I like Google Messages and I use the Samsung Dynamic version so it looks much like Samsung Messages. I also use Aquamail instead of the stock email app.

 

[mustang7757]

Google messages or collaboration with Samsung version
Nova launcher , sometimes switch it up to One UI

All Samsung:

Phone
Calendar
Contact
Calculator
Clock
Gallery

I do use Google drive,photos ,duo,maps,chrome

 

[VinnieHat]

I like Google Messages and I use the Samsung Dynamic version so it looks much like Samsung Messages. I also use Aquamail instead of the stock email app.

If you don't mind me asking what do you mean by the Samsung Dynamic version of Google Messages? Because I love the default message app but I also like Google Messages too.

 

[isired]

I use Next SMS for text - at the time I switched, neither Samsung, Google or Verizon message apps didn't handle group texts with Apple users well, especially when there were a lot of people in the group. I don't knowbof the others have caught up, this was originally on the Galaxy SIII so many years ago (Note 10÷ now).

BlueMail for email, used Outlook for a year 8r two but an update screwed it up and I switched and never looked back. Samsung's mail app never handled my G Suite mail well.

Use Chrome instead of Samsung's "Internet" mostly because of the cross-device and G Suite sync.

Use Samsung stock Calendar, Camera, Alarm (used to use AMdroid, even paid for the no ads version, but they changed a fee things in early 2020 and it became unusable- alarm didn't run when specified, or it did but in the background and didn't make a sound, etc.)

 

[ABOSWORTH007]

If you don't mind me asking what do you mean by the Samsung Dynamic version of Google Messages? Because I love the default message app but I also like Google Messages too.

It's kind of a pain but you have to manually install it and check for updates manually. I don't mind personally because I love this version of Google Messages. They are supposed to be rolling it out to Samsung devices but they have not been doing it as far as I've seen.

https://www.apkmirror.com/apk/googl...1-phone_samsung_dynamic-android-apk-download/

Here is the latest version. You will need to download an app from the Play store called APKMirror Installer

 

[mustang7757]

I use Next SMS for text - at the time I switched, neither Samsung, Google or Verizon message apps didn't handle group texts with Apple users well, especially when there were a lot of people in the group. I don't knowbof the others have caught up, this was originally on the Galaxy SIII so many years ago (Note 10÷ now).

BlueMail for email, used Outlook for a year 8r two but an update screwed it up and I switched and never looked back. Samsung's mail app never handled my G Suite mail well.

Use Chrome instead of Samsung's "Internet" mostly because of the cross-device and G Suite sync.

Use Samsung stock Calendar, Camera, Alarm (used to use AMdroid, even paid for the no ads version, but they changed a fee things in early 2020 and it became unusable- alarm didn't run when specified, or it did but in the background and didn't make a sound, etc.)

Thats good to know about Next , some guest or members ask about best messaging app that group with iPhone users.

 

[VinnieHat]

It's kind of a pain but you have to manually install it and check for updates manually. I don't mind personally because I love this version of Google Messages. They are supposed to be rolling it out to Samsung devices but they have not been doing it as far as I've seen.

https://www.apkmirror.com/apk/googl...1-phone_samsung_dynamic-android-apk-download/

Here is the latest version. You will need to download an app from the Play store called APKMirror Installer

Ooh ok interesting! Thank you so much! I will definitely check that out!

 

[VinnieHat]

I use Next SMS for text - at the time I switched, neither Samsung, Google or Verizon message apps didn't handle group texts with Apple users well, especially when there were a lot of people in the group. I don't knowbof the others have caught up, this was originally on the Galaxy SIII so many years ago (Note 10÷ now).

BlueMail for email, used Outlook for a year 8r two but an update screwed it up and I switched and never looked back. Samsung's mail app never handled my G Suite mail well.

Use Chrome instead of Samsung's "Internet" mostly because of the cross-device and G Suite sync.

Use Samsung stock Calendar, Camera, Alarm (used to use AMdroid, even paid for the no ads version, but they changed a fee things in early 2020 and it became unusable- alarm didn't run when specified, or it did but in the background and didn't make a sound, etc.)

Thank you for bringing up about the messaging app. I mentioned in the thread earlier about me using Textra a while ago and that was because I actually used to have issues with Apple Group Texts sometimes. But as you said especially when there were a lot of people in the group. Small groups didn't have any issue. I'll look at Next SMS too!

I've also refused to use any 3rd party alarm clock app for the sole purpose that I'm afraid it won't go off haha. I get so nervous when it's an important alarm.

 

[mustang7757]

Ooh ok interesting! Thank you so much! I will definitely check that out!

Yeah thats the Google/Samsung collaboration app which is Google icon but Samsung UI , think the s21 should have this , i. Using on my Note20U

 

[VinnieHat]

Yeah thats the Google/Samsung collaboration app which is Google icon but Samsung UI , think the s21 should have this , i. Using on my Note20U

Interesting. I tried downloading Google Messages and it didn't work. I had to use the APK. And I'm on One UI 3.1. Eh, at least it works! This looks cool!

 

[mustang7757]

Interesting. I tried downloading Google Messages and it didn't work. I had to use the APK. And I'm on One UI 3.1. Eh, at least it works! This looks cool!

Hmm maybe doesn't apply to all s21 owners strange , but yeah pretty cool.

 

[cknobman]

I use:
Samsung Messages
Outlook - mail and calendar are both superior to Google or Samsung
ToDo - blows away Google Keep
Microsoft Launcher - swipe left widget panel and news panel are awesome
Microsoft Edge browser
OneDrive - for photo and file storage/backup

 

[anon(10753934)]

It's kind of a pain but you have to manually install it and check for updates manually. I don't mind personally because I love this version of Google Messages. They are supposed to be rolling it out to Samsung devices but they have not been doing it as far as I've seen.

https://www.apkmirror.com/apk/googl...1-phone_samsung_dynamic-android-apk-download/

Here is the latest version. You will need to download an app from the Play store called APKMirror Installer

Hey why is the version in beta ? It didn't say.
Can't I get this app from the Play store app or nah ?

 

[ABOSWORTH007]

Hey why is the version in beta ? It didn't say.
Can't I get this app from the Play store app or nah ?

No you won't get it in the Play Store. I'm not sure why this one is beta, the previous version I had of the Samsung Dynamic app was not beta. I upgraded to the beta version because it's a higher version number than the current version in the play store. I don't like having pending updates. Whenever I see an update for Google messages, I go to that website and find the latest Samsung Dynamic version and DL it manually.