One of the lesser-appreciated features of Google’sAndroid mobile operating systemis the ability to switch your default apps without fuss. Your default web browser, phone app, caller ID and spam app, digital assistant app,home app, and Short Message Service (SMS) texting app are all easily interchangable with third-party alternatives.
There are many, manyreasons to be critical of Google, but I’ll give credit where credit is due: the tech giant has done a reasonably good job of making Android a flexible OS, messaging apps included. If you’re wondering how to make the switch to athird-party text messaging app, or you simply want to try out something that isn’tGoogle Messages, then all it’ll take is a couple of purposeful screen taps.
These 6 third-party Android messaging apps bring me back to the glory days of SMS texting
Google Messages isn’t the only Android texting app in town – here are some excellent third-party alternatives.
How to switch out your default SMS texting app on Android
The entire process only takes a few moments to complete
In order to switch from one Android texting app to an alternative one, follow these steps:
Each messaging app has its own unique ‘set as default messaging app’ splash screen, but in every case, there’s only ever a single button you have to worry about tapping.
And just like that, whichever texting app you’ve chosen will start working as your new default – it’ll automatically update and sync up all your existing text message threads, with no additional input required. The process to go back to your previously selected texting app is identical, but simply in reverse.
If you’re looking for some excellent third-party messaging app recommendations,Pocket-lint has a dedicated articleon the topic. In short, some popular options include:
Apple’s rollout of RCS in iOS 18 has not been a success
The introduction of RCS in Apple’s latest update has not unified messaging between Android and iOS in the way many were expecting.
Google is the undisputed leader when it comes to modern Android text messaging
That being said, third-party SMS apps still have their place in the market
In recent years, we’ve seen Google push aggressively to make its ownMessagesapp the de facto texting experience on Android. The tech giant has emphasized its own implementation of theRich Communication Services (RCS)protocol, and has brokered deals with giants like Samsungto include the service on new phonesby default.
In fact, as it currently stands, theAndroid Open Source Project (AOSP)or ‘vanilla’ version of Androiddoesn’t even have an actively maintained app for messagingfriends and family. Instead, it’s up to smartphone OEMs and third-party developers to fill the Google-sized void in the room.
I can envision an eventual RCS-powered renaissance in the Android texting app scene.
Thankfully, while the current selection of alternative SMS apps isn’t massive, the available options are still being regularly updated. If the newer RCS texting standard continues to gain industry prominence –and it’s a safe bet that it’ll do so– then I can envision an eventual RCS-powered renaissance in the Android texting app scene.
Of course, as a prerequisite, this would require Google to open up its unique flavor of the 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: those that rely on the now-ancient SMS standard, and those funded by deep pockets that can afford to build proprietary messaging technologies à la WhatsApp, Discord, and others.
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