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Set a default SMS app on Android
Android lets one app at a time send and receive text messages. Here is what that means and how to change it.
Why a default SMS app?
To protect your messages, Android only allows a single app, the default SMS app, to send and receive texts and to write to the message database. That is why any texting app, including this one, asks to be set as default during setup.
How to set Messages as default
- Open Messages - SMS Texting.
- Tap Set as Default SMS App.
- Confirm the Android prompt.
How to switch back
Open Android Settings, go to Apps, then Default apps, and choose SMS app. Pick any other messaging app. Your messages remain stored on the phone.
Exact menu names differ slightly by phone brand and Android version.
Features that need it
Sending, receiving (and message notifications), blocking numbers, marking as read or unread, scheduled messages and recovering deleted conversations all require Messages to be the default SMS app.
Not ready to switch? Use read-only mode
On the welcome screen you can choose Not now – just read my messages. Messages then opens with your existing conversations, but it is not your default SMS app, so it cannot send messages and Android does not deliver new texts to it. That means no message notifications while you are in read-only mode.
A Read-only mode card at the top of the conversation list, chats and Settings explains this and has a Set as Default button. You can close the card; it comes back the next time you open the app. Tapping Send or Block also offers to set Messages as the default.
Messages will not keep nagging you. It asks once each time you start the app, and after two declines it stops asking on its own for a few days. If you stay in read-only mode you may get a few reminder notifications (at most five, a few days apart); turn them off with Re-engagement Reminders in Settings.
Questions about default sms app
Do I need to make it my default SMS app?
To send and receive texts, yes. Android only lets the default SMS app do that, so Messages asks you to set it as the default during setup. If you are not ready, choose Not now – just read my messages to browse your existing conversations first (read-only mode) and switch whenever you like. You can also switch back to another app at any time in Android settings. See the setup guide.
Where are my messages stored?
Your messages stay on your device. Messages - SMS Texting does not upload your conversations to a server. Read the full Privacy Policy for details, including the limited analytics, crash reporting and advertising services the app uses.
My message did not send.
Check that Messages is your default SMS app (if it is not, tapping Send offers to set it), that you have signal, and that the right SIM is selected. Picture and group messages also need MMS enabled on your plan. Tap a failed message for options. If it keeps happening, contact support and tell us your phone model and Android version.
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Get Messages - SMS Texting on Android
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