Frequently asked questions

Yes. The app is free to download and use. It is supported by ads. If you would rather not see ads for a while, you can watch a short rewarded ad in the app to switch banner and native ads off for a period of time (see Ad-Free Time).

Messages - SMS Texting runs on Android 7.0 (API 24) and newer.

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.

No. It is an SMS and MMS app. Messages are sent through your mobile carrier, so normal carrier SMS/MMS rules and any carrier charges apply. Your plan determines whether texts and picture messages are free or billed.

The app is translated into 31 languages, including English, Spanish, French, German, Portuguese, Italian, Russian, Turkish, Arabic, Hindi, Bengali, Japanese, Korean, Chinese, Vietnamese and Indonesian. You can pick a language inside the app, or leave it on your device language.

If you choose Not now – just read my messages on the welcome screen, Messages opens with your existing conversations but is not your default SMS app. You can read them, but you cannot send messages, and Android does not deliver new texts to Messages, so you will not get message notifications. Blocking numbers needs the default app too. A Read-only mode card explains this and has a Set as Default button. You can close the card; it returns the next time you open the app. Tapping Send or Block offers to set Messages as the default. See Default SMS app.

Not constantly. The prompt opens by itself once each time you start the app, and if you decline twice Messages stops asking on its own for a few days and opens in read-only mode instead. Tapping Set as Default, Send or Block always brings it up. If you stay in read-only mode, Messages may send a few reminder notifications (about a day after you start, then a few days apart, at most five). You can turn these off with Re-engagement Reminders in Settings.

Yes. You can send pictures from your gallery or camera, files, your location and contact cards as MMS. MMS needs to be enabled on your mobile plan, and your carrier's size limits apply.

You can create a group conversation, give it a name and add members. With the Group MMS setting on, group texts are sent as MMS so everyone's replies stay in the same group. Group MMS requires MMS support from your carrier.

Yes. If your phone has two active SIMs, you can choose which one sends your messages, or set the app to ask you each time.

Yes. Write your message, pick a date and time in the future, and Messages sends it automatically. You can edit or delete scheduled messages from the Schedule Messages screen. If your phone is in battery saver mode, a scheduled message may be delayed, but it is not lost. Scheduled messages are restored after a restart or an app update, and one that came due while the phone was off is sent when it starts again (if it is less than 24 hours late). See Scheduled Messages.

Yes. Deleted conversations move to Recently Deleted (under Management on the Messages home screen) and can be restored for 40 days. After 40 days they are permanently removed.

Messages automatically sorts your inbox into Smart Categories (Transactions, Finance, Orders, Reminders and Promotions), plus Known Senders, Unknown Senders, Unread and Spam views. You choose a filter on the Messages home screen to focus your inbox. See Smart Message Filters.

Yes. Advanced Search lets you search across all your messages, and voice search lets you speak your query instead of typing. Voice search needs microphone permission and uses your device's speech recognition service, which may require an internet connection.

Yes. You can block a number from a conversation and manage the list under Blocked Numbers. You need to be using Messages as your default SMS app for blocking to work; if it is not, tapping Block offers to set it.

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.

You can lock and hide individual conversations. Locked chats are kept out of your main conversation list and need your 4-digit PIN to open. You can also enable fingerprint or face unlock on devices that support it, and set security questions as a backup if you forget your PIN. See Chat Lock.

SMS permissions to send, receive and read messages; Contacts to show names and pick recipients; Notifications to alert you to new messages; Camera and photo access to send pictures; Location only when you choose to share it; Microphone only for voice search; Phone to place a call from a conversation; and Biometrics for fingerprint or face unlock. The Privacy Policy explains each one.

Ads help keep the app free. In Settings you can review your ad consent choices under Manage Consent. Message content is never used to target ads. You can also earn ad-free time by watching a rewarded ad: banner, full-screen and app-open ads are switched off until it ends, while ads inside lists (native ads) still appear.

Battery optimization on some Xiaomi devices can stop apps from receiving SMS in the background. Open Android Settings, go to Apps, find Messages, open Battery saver and choose No restrictions. The app shows a reminder with the same steps.

Android only delivers new texts to the default SMS app. If you are using Messages in read-only mode (you will see a Read-only mode card), set Messages as your default SMS app to get notifications. Otherwise check that notifications are allowed for Messages in Android settings, and on Xiaomi phones follow the battery steps above.

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.

Email KCOApps@gmail.com or use the support page. We aim to reply within 48 hours.