Verizon Message+ alternatives?

[Mooncatt]

So with Verizon shutting down Message+ and trying to push everyone to Google, I'm curious if there are other alternatives that also have some of the rich features, especially with high quality photo sharing. I'd rather not have to rely on yet another Google service because service providers are lazy.

 

[mustang7757]

I hear people use Textra
But even though u don't like Google's message app it will probably be your best bet especially backing up .

 

[SeeBeeEss]

I use Textra and, IMHO, it is better than Google Messenger in every way, except maybe in a couple of areas - no RCS (maybe not a big deal now, but it probably will be in the future when more users are using RCS) and no spam filter (it does, however, have blacklisting and blocking once you have received a spam text).

PS: No problem backing up. Textra automatically inserts a copy of all messages into the stock Android system messaging database.

PSS: I have about a 50/50 split of iPhone/Android contacts. At the present time, maybe 5-10% are using RCS.

 

[VidJunky]

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 switch on my messages. I would probably be in the same place looking for something to replace it if it had worked for me. In general Verizon has had some really good products over the years but they always screw them up. VZ Navigator was Waze before there was a Waze. I even bought the subscription, which was and remains rare for me, and just before the Incredible came out they started putting ads in it. Here they were taking a paid app and adding ads to it. Give me free with ads or paid ad free but there was no way I was going to pay for ads when Google Maps was free.

I'm kind of here just to see what other people suggest, not that I'm looking to leave Messages, but I'm curious to hear what's out there.

I think I tried Chomp and Textra just shy of a decade ago. Looking at screenshots of Textra, it seems to be more about custom colors, and shapes. What about function? Are there any must have features you use?

Handcent was a favorite for a time.

 

[SeeBeeEss]

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 switch on my messages. I would probably be in the same place looking for something to replace it if it had worked for me. In general Verizon has had some really good products over the years but they always screw them up. VZ Navigator was Waze before there was a Waze. I even bought the subscription, which was and remains rare for me, and just before the Incredible came out they started putting ads in it. Here they were taking a paid app and adding ads to it. Give me free with ads or paid ad free but there was no way I was going to pay for ads when Google Maps was free.

I'm kind of here just to see what other people suggest, not that I'm looking to leave Messages, but I'm curious to hear what's out there.

I think I tried Chomp and Textra just shy of a decade ago. Looking at screenshots of Textra, it seems to be more about custom colors, and shapes. What about function? Are there any must have features you use?

Handcent was a favorite for a time.

Although I love having the ability to customize themes, colours, fonts, text bubbles, etc., for me, "must have features" that keep bringing me back to Textra include being able to adjust font size (I find Google Messages a bit too small), set contact specific ringtones and vibration patterns, schedule when to send a message, perform delay sends, and the ability to copy and paste all or portions of a text (seems silly to me that you can't do such a simple and extremely useful thing with Google Messages).

 

[Mooncatt]

I just installed Google Messages and it's an instant no for me with absolutely zero theme customization options. I rely on the ability to change things like background and chat colors on a per contact basis to help make sure I'm not sending a text to the wrong person. You know, like sending one to my boss that was meant for my wife because my selection aim was a bit off (Thankfully she was understanding and didn't think anything of it). Everything is now in the same boring colors, so I'm back to Messages+ for the time being.

I use to use Handcent years ago, so I'll look into that and maybe Textra. I couldn't care less about RCS fluff. Hopefully the Verizon app will still function as a basic text app even after the main service shuts down.

Oh, and the real kick in the teeth is this shutdown coincides with a price hike. Nothing like paying more to get less, right?

 

[BerryBubbles]

I just installed Google Messages and it's an instant no for me with absolutely zero theme customization options. I rely on the ability to change things like background and chat colors on a per contact basis to help make sure I'm not sending a text to the wrong person. You know, like sending one to my boss that was meant for my wife because my selection aim was a bit off (Thankfully she was understanding and didn't think anything of it). Everything is now in the same boring colors, so I'm back to Messages+ for the time being.

I use to use Handcent years ago, so I'll look into that and maybe Textra. I couldn't care less about RCS fluff. Hopefully the Verizon app will still function as a basic text app even after the main service shuts down.

Oh, and the real kick in the teeth is this shutdown coincides with a price hike. Nothing like paying more to get less, right?

I can understand the need for making the messages stand out from each other. I once made a comment to my husband's sister about a situation he was experiencing. I thought it was a thread between just her & I, but he was also included. When I realized it, I ran downstairs & deleted it from his phone. (He was in the garage) I felt really guilty, like I was invading his privacy, but he would have been hurt if he had read it. Lesson learned.

Verizon has a price hike coming? My sister is going to love that.

 

[Mooncatt]

Verizon has a price hike coming? My sister is going to love that.

Here's the details.

Auto Pay discount reduction for your mobile phone plan - FAQs

We want you to know that the monthly Auto Pay discount you're getting with your mobile phone plan is decreasing. Here's everything you need to know about the change. What is the Auto Pay discount reduction for my plan? The current Auto Pay discount for your plan is being reduced by 50%, no...

community.verizon.com

 

[BerryBubbles]

Here's the details.

Auto Pay discount reduction for your mobile phone plan - FAQs

We want you to know that the monthly Auto Pay discount you're getting with your mobile phone plan is decreasing. Here's everything you need to know about the change. What is the Auto Pay discount reduction for my plan? The current Auto Pay discount for your plan is being reduced by 50%, no...

community.verizon.com

Thank you for that link!

50% cut. Geez, they can't even afford to let you keep the 5 bucks.
That's kind of insulting. ' Hey, we're giving you a $10 discount, if you meet all these requirements!
Ha!! never mind, we're taking half of it back.'

That's as bad as T-Mobiles 'give us your banking info & you can keep your auto pay discount'. Nope!!

 

[Laura Knotek]

Although I love having the ability to customize themes, colours, fonts, text bubbles, etc., for me, "must have features" that keep bringing me back to Textra include being able to adjust font size (I find Google Messages a bit too small), set contact specific ringtones and vibration patterns, schedule when to send a message, perform delay sends, and the ability to copy and paste all or portions of a text (seems silly to me that you can't do such a simple and extremely useful thing with Google Messages).

I used Textra years ago but don't remember the time scheduling feature or the delayed sending. I only remember the different colour themes. I never used Verizon Messages at all, and since using factory unlocked devices, I have no Verizon apps even installed. I don't remember what else I used besides Textra with my LG and Moto devices when I had them. I had AT&T when I had the Moto devices, and used the LG on both AT&T and Verizon. Prior to Google Messages, I used Samsung Messages on my Samsung devices.

 

[y2jman]

is textra better than google message i kindof dread to start using it once samsung message does ends i know that textra doesn't have rcs btw

 

[SeeBeeEss]

is textra better than google message i kindof dread to start using it once samsung message does ends i know that textra doesn't have rcs btw

It really depends on what is important to you. If you want a lot of customization options, Textra is the way to go. I think I paid $3.50 ($6.50 now) for the Pro (lifetime ad-free) version of Textra back in 2017, so, I have definitely gotten good value for my money. If you don't pay for Pro, you will get ads. Because I have always used Pro, I'm not sure what getting ads really means for the user.

On the other hand, Google Messages is free, has RCS and a spam filter, while offering little in the way of customization. Although I have used Google Messages, I can't speak to how effective the spam filter is, since I only get about 10 spam messages in a year. Some here have reported that the spam filter works really well for them.

Check out the link I have provided for Textra to determine for yourself if it has features that would appeal to you. Or, download if from the Play Store for a free 14 day trial of Pro (ad-free).

For me personally, Google is going to have to do a whole lot more with Google Messages to make it an attractive alternative to Textra.

 

[y2jman]

well i just wished some way samsung theme that i currently have can transfer over and i know won't google message plus i never customize stuff like i said all i do long press screen click on themes samsung galaxy look something up like halloween under free and install it then it will customize everything including samsung message besides making icon orange and inside which is spider web pumpkins when folks reply its brown with white text and my text is orange with white text

does textra have themes i assumed it prob won't carry over themes from galaxy store eh i assumed they are kindof bland compare to galaxy store

i read this The minimum API for Textra is now API 25 (Android 7.1). so for an older phone on android 13 some of stuff prob won't work eh

 

[SeeBeeEss]

well i just wished some way samsung theme that i currently have can transfer over and i know won't google message plus i never customize stuff like i said all i do long press screen click on themes samsung galaxy look something up like halloween under free and install it then it will customize everything including samsung message besides making icon orange and inside which is spider web pumpkins when folks reply its brown with white text and my text is orange with white text

does textra have themes i assumed it prob won't carry over themes from galaxy store eh i assumed they are kindof bland compare to galaxy store

I don't know how Textra themes compare to your current themes, but there are plenty of options and every colour/shade you could imagine. You are correct that Textra will not carry over themes from the Galaxy Store.

 

[y2jman]

yeah i forgot themes from galaxy store all i do get free and never paid i then to menu under my stuff i don't have many besides default purple theme i only have 7 that's too bad about not even going to be carry over to textra either i guess i can handle dark color if i do google message ain't going that plain white

i see that according to pic it seems just colors under themes not actually themes on holidays and such

i actually read regedit if i were uninstall update samsung message won't get notify to go into google message then again i haven't seen that pop up since early past weds morning after pop up not now and also said not now inside samsung message

i did go into samsung chat and asked if were going to get notify again person said something about making sure won't show up but i bet i will get notify to go into google message in a few days perhaps tomorrow or sun meh

 

[y2jman]

yep that didn't last long after took phone off charger no pop up but i'm seeing it come up at the top again open messenger upgrade to google messages to safeguard chats with real time detection not now upgrade

man i don't want to go into google message right now alot of negativity i can dismissed but it prob be back up again come mon tetra seems interesting textra seems interesting paid version since don't want to do ads i can handle paying 9.99 buy a google play card i just want to continue to use samsung message before it stops dumb warning meh

 

[hiran1228]

So with Verizon shutting down Message+ and trying to push everyone to Google, I'm curious if there are other alternatives that also have some of the rich features, especially with high quality photo sharing. I'd rather not have to rely on yet another Google service because service providers are lazy.

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. Please let me know

 

[hiran1228]

I hear people use Textra
But even though u don't like Google's message app it will probably be your best bet especially backing up .

How is Textra compare to Verizon Messages+

 

[hiran1228]

It really depends on what is important to you. If you want a lot of customization options, Textra is the way to go. I think I paid $3.50 ($6.50 now) for the Pro (lifetime ad-free) version of Textra back in 2017, so, I have definitely gotten good value for my money. If you don't pay for Pro, you will get ads. Because I have always used Pro, I'm not sure what getting ads really means for the user.

On the other hand, Google Messages is free, has RCS and a spam filter, while offering little in the way of customization. Although I have used Google Messages, I can't speak to how effective the spam filter is, since I only get about 10 spam messages in a year. Some here have reported that the spam filter works really well for them.

Check out the link I have provided for Textra to determine for yourself if it has features that would appeal to you. Or, download if from the Play Store for a free 14 day trial of Pro (ad-free).

For me personally, Google is going to have to do a whole lot more with Google Messages to make it an attractive alternative to Textra.

What is in the Pro version? I currently have Verizon messages (and I am a Verizon customer) but unfortunately that app is being discontinued in November and I was looking to use Textra.

 

[mustang7757]

How is Textra compare to Verizon Messages+

Sorry not sure I don't use Textra