To switch from Google Messages, open your Android phone’s Settings and choose Apps > Default apps > SMS app, then select the messaging app you want to use. The wording and location can vary by Android version and phone maker, so search Settings for “SMS app” if you do not see that path. Before switching, check that the new app supports the kinds of messaging you rely on—especially RCS—and know how to turn off RCS in Google Messages if messages stop arriving afterward.
The change is usually a settings choice, but choosing a suitable replacement takes a little more care. Confirm whether the app handles carrier SMS and MMS, whether it supports RCS on your device, and how it displays existing conversations. Then send and receive a test message before relying on it.
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
What changes when you change the default SMS app?
Android’s default SMS app is the app selected to handle ordinary carrier text messaging on your phone. After you select a different default, that app handles new SMS and MMS messages. The change does not, by itself, establish how the new app will display, import, or restore your previous conversations.
Google says messages are stored in the device’s SMS database, and other apps may have access to them. That does not mean every app presents the same conversation history in the same way. Before relying on a new app, check its instructions and verify that important conversations are visible after you switch.
#1 Best Overall
- [Ultra-Lightweight Ear Buds Designed for Small Ears] Each earbud weighs only 3.7g and features a compact, ergonomic in-ear design made especially for small ears. Secure, low-profile, and comfortable for workouts, all-day wear or overnight sleeping.The ultra-slim profile sits flush in your ear with no hard edges poking or rubbing, so you can even sleep on your side without discomfort.
- [Immersive Stereo Sound with TOZO OrigX Technology] TOZO OrigX tuning delivers clear vocals, balanced mids, and natural stereo sound for music, podcasts, and videos.
- [Long Battery Life for Daily Use] Get up to 7 hours of playtime on a single charge, with up to 32 hours total using the charging case—ideal for workdays, commuting, and extended listening sessions.
- [Bluetooth 5.3 & Stable Connection] Bluetooth 5.3 provides fast pairing, stable wireless performance, and reduced dropouts as you move around home or office.
- [Deep Bass with Clear Vocals] High-performance drivers produce punchy bass while keeping vocals clean and detailed for everyday listening.
Changing the default app is separate from changing your phone number or messaging the people in your contacts. It also does not make RCS features available in another app automatically. RCS availability and behavior depend on the device, carrier, region, participants, and the app being used.
It helps to separate three things that are often grouped together as “messages.” SMS and MMS are carrier messaging services. RCS is a richer messaging service whose availability and features depend on compatible devices, service, and participants. Apps such as Signal can also provide their own internet-based conversations without replacing the phone’s carrier SMS/MMS app. A replacement may support one or more of these, so identify which kinds you actually use before changing the default.
Setting a new default is reversible: you can return to Android’s SMS app setting and select Google Messages again. Reversing the selection does not guarantee that a special feature or conversation will behave exactly as it did before, however. Check app-specific setup and RCS status if you switch back and delivery remains unreliable.
PC Slower Than It Used to Be?
A free scan shows the junk files, broken settings and background clutter dragging Windows down - then fixes them in one click.Free scan · Windows 10 & 11Outdated Drivers Are Slowing You Down
One free scan finds every outdated or missing driver and matches the right update for your exact hardware.Free scan · exact hardware matchCheck the new app before making it the default
Confirm what kind of messaging the app actually supports. An app that is useful for internet-based conversations may not be able to send or receive ordinary SMS and MMS through your mobile carrier. The name “messaging app” alone does not tell you whether it can replace Google Messages for carrier texting.
- SMS and MMS: Check that the app supports carrier text and multimedia messages if you need to communicate with people who do not use the same messaging service. SMS and MMS support is the basic requirement for an app to take over ordinary carrier messaging.
- RCS: Ask the app developer and, where relevant, your carrier whether RCS works on your device and in your region. Do not assume that Google Messages’ RCS features carry over. Confirm support for the particular combination of app, phone, carrier, and region rather than relying on a general feature claim.
- Conversation history: Check how the app accesses existing SMS messages and whether it explains any import or restore process. Verify the conversations you need rather than assuming the display will match Google Messages.
- Privacy and permissions: Review the app listing, privacy policy, and Android permissions. A policy statement about one permission is not a complete security assessment. Consider what permissions the app requests and why it says they are needed for its messaging features.
- Other features: If you depend on desktop access, customization, or another specific feature, confirm that it is available in the exact app version you plan to use. Do not assume that a feature offered by Google Messages will be present in another app.
Two examples illustrate why the app’s category matters. Fossify Messages is described in its F-Droid listing as an SMS/MMS messaging app. Its privacy policy says it does not request Android Internet permission and describes SMS/MMS permissions as being used when it is the messaging app. Review the current listing and policy yourself; those statements alone do not establish every security property. Signal is not a drop-in replacement for carrier texting on Android: Signal Support says its current Android app cannot send or receive SMS/MMS, and that its earlier SMS functionality was removed. Signal can be used for conversations where both parties use Signal, but it does not replace ordinary carrier SMS/MMS.
Rank #2
- 【IP68 Waterproof Multifunctinal Smart Watch】Torjalph fitness activity tracker smart watch is IP68 waterproof technology ,you can wear it when swimming,handwashing,it's rain-proof which means that you perform multiple exercise modes outside without worrying about sweat or rain corroding your fitness smart watch,and this watch equipped with a 230 mAh large capacity battery magnetic charging ,and this sports activity tracker watch can be used 5-7 days If fully charged.
- 【Larger 1.83'' Full Screen Watch & Multi-dial Selection】1.83 inch full HD color touch screen smart watch for men / women provides excellent 240*284 resolution image quality ,This Bluetooth smart watch offers a better touch experience and remarkable immersion and ,more than 200 watch faces for you to choose from App"Da Fit ", you can change the dial style according to your mood to wear keeping the world on your wrist
- 【Accurate Activity Tracker Smart Watch 】sports watch activity tracker uses sweat and dust resistant breathable silicone strap, our Fitness Tracker Smart Watch for Android iOS Phones supports 12 sports modes,walking,running,bicycle,swimming,badminton,basketball,football,rope skipping. This bluetooth calls smart watch for men women is lightweight and stylish, bringing more convenient and relaxing sports experience while also providing more protection.
- 【Your 24 Hour Personal Daily Health Monitor】Fitness watch for women men full touch screen IP67 waterproof bluetooth smartwatch for Android iOS Phones with heart rate blood pressure monitor multifunction Andriod smart watch with steps counter sleep monitor sports fitness watch, monitoring blood oxygen saturation allows you to understand your physical condition in real time to track fitness progress ,to know your health status in time.
- 【More Functions Bluetooth Call Smart Watch】This fitness activity smart watch full screen for iPhone and Android phones includes a bunch of new features including:The bluetooth smart watch can hang up the phone, receive and display WhatsAPP /Text /Facebook /Twitter /Messenger reminder.Support sedentary reminder, alarm clock, stopwatch, timer,weather information,music control, remote camera control compatible with Android 5.0 and above or iOS 9.0 and above smartphones.
These examples are not a complete ranking of alternatives. The available product information does not establish a comprehensive list of current apps with equivalent RCS support. Compare candidates against the messages and features you use rather than choosing solely by name, appearance, or a claim that an app is private or feature-rich.
Switch the default SMS app in Android Settings
- Install the app you want to use. If it is not already on the phone, install it from the app source you trust. Open it once if its setup instructions ask you to do so; an app may prompt you to become the default. Read the prompt so you understand which app Android is being asked to use for SMS.
- Open Android Settings. Use the phone’s Settings app, not Google Messages’ conversation screen. The default SMS selection is an Android setting.
- Find the SMS app setting. On many phones, go to Apps > Default apps > SMS app. If the menu differs, search Settings for SMS app or consult the phone maker’s instructions. Android labels can vary by version and manufacturer, so a slightly different menu name does not mean the option is missing.
- Select the new app. Tap the app you want Android to use. If Android displays a confirmation prompt to set it as the default, review and accept it. If the app is not listed, check that it is installed and that it supports SMS app selection; consult its setup instructions rather than selecting an unrelated app.
- Test sending and receiving. Send a test SMS to a contact and ask for a reply. Check the new app’s notifications and confirm that you can see the conversations you need. Test MMS too if sending or receiving picture and group messages is important to you.
- Troubleshoot RCS if delivery breaks. If messages stop arriving and RCS was enabled in Google Messages, follow Google’s RCS instructions to turn RCS chats off. Google provides an in-app control and a web deactivation portal for situations where you cannot access the phone.
Google’s setup instructions also note that opening a messaging app may prompt you to make it the default. You can use that prompt or change the selection in Settings; the Settings route is useful when you want to check which app is currently selected. When Android asks to make an app the default, treat that as a change to the app handling ordinary SMS, not as confirmation that every Google Messages feature will transfer.
Recommended Free Tools
Do the first test while you have access to the phone and the new app’s setup screens. A successful outgoing text alone is not enough to confirm the whole change: check for an incoming reply, notifications, any MMS use you rely on, and the history you need. If a test fails, work through the troubleshooting section below before concluding that old messages are gone.
What to expect from message history and backups
Google describes message history as residing in the device SMS database. Another app may be able to access messages stored there, but presentation and history behavior depend on that app. Check the destination app’s instructions and look for important conversations after the change; do not treat the default-app switch as a guarantee that every message, attachment, or conversation will be imported or restored identically.
This distinction matters if a conversation appears missing. The default setting determines which app handles messages; it does not promise a particular layout, import process, or restoration result. Check whether the destination app can read the device’s existing SMS history and whether its instructions describe a separate step. If a conversation is important, verify that it is present in the new app before depending on that app as your only way to access it.
Rank #3
- [Low Noise High Fidelity] New bee guitar cord with 22AWG oxygen-free-copper center conductors provides enhanced signal transfer, the PVC insulation material and the high-density stranded copper double shield provide noise rejection for quiet operation
- [Ideal for Choice] New bee 1/4 straight and right angle metal connectors, ensures a secure connection in any instrument, pedal, or amp jack. L shape great fro on stage guitar stands
- [Wide Compatible] Suitable for mixer, power amplifier, microphone, effector, decoder, equalizer, electoronic organ, electric guitar, electric bass and other electronic equipments. Widely used in the installation of smart home, karaoke speaker, professional stage audio, etc
- [Easy Disassemble] Making incidental repairs quick and easy! Very nice, flexible cable
- [Dont Hesite to Order] 24 hours customer services and professional technology team are standing by
Android device backups may include SMS and MMS. Google says RCS messages are included when using Google Messages. Restoration depends on the phone and Android version, so a device backup is not a universal promise of app-to-app migration. If you are changing phones as well as apps, check the backup and restore instructions for your specific phone and Android version before relying on a backup for a conversation you need.
The Tool Desk
Outbyte PC Repair FREEClear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →Outbyte Driver Updater FREEScan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →In particular, do not assume that a backup made for one phone or app will recreate every RCS conversation inside a different app. Backup inclusion and restoration are not the same as a guaranteed transfer between messaging apps. Confirm what the phone’s backup process covers and what the destination app says about history before you make a device change or rely on an old backup.
RCS: why it may not transfer cleanly
RCS is not simply another name for SMS. It can provide features beyond carrier texting, but Google says availability varies by device, carrier, and region, and that participants need RCS for RCS conversations. A new app may not support RCS, or its support may differ from Google Messages. Confirm compatibility with the app developer and carrier instead of assuming feature continuity.
Even when two people both have compatible phones, their experience can depend on which app and service they use. An RCS conversation requires the participants to have RCS, and a change of app does not guarantee that the same conversation features remain available. Treat claims about RCS as specific to the app, carrier, device, and region rather than as a universal Android capability.
Google also notes that proprietary features and messaging that is not interoperable from a previous app will not be usable after switching to Google Messages. The practical lesson when moving away from Google Messages is to treat each app’s special features as app-specific until its developer confirms otherwise. A recipient’s device and service can affect the experience too.
Quick wins for a faster PC:
Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →Rank #4
- Digital Family Calendar: BSIMB digital calendar wall touch screen puts an end to your chaotic life. Designed for busy families, the digital calendar keeps you organised and in step with your family. Assign different colours and tasks to each family member to make family scheduling easier and more intuitive.
- Easy Setup and Auto-Sync: Plug in, connect to WLAN and auto-syn your electric calendar in minutes. Digital wall calendar compatible with Google calendar, iCloud calendar, Outlook calendar, Cozi calendar and Yahoo calendar. Add events directly on the device or through the ecalendar app. Electronic calendar stays current whether you're at work or traveling—no manual updates needed.
- All-In-One Home Assistant: Smart calendar builds habits and encourage independence with personalised chores. Display daily meal plan to reduce the daily ‘What's for dinner?’ stress. To-do lists keep track of everything you want. Turning chores into valuable achievements with stars and rewards, making life easier and more enjoyable.
- Manage Anytime Anywhere: BSIMB electronic calendar for family stay connected with the powerful ecalendar app. Access and manage your digital wall calendar anytime, anywhere with free features like stars & rewards, photo screensaver, chore charts, meals plans, to-do lists etc. Electronic planner paid features like Magic Import tailor advanced tools for users with special needs.
- Stay in Touch with Loved Ones: Share photos or videos from your phone to electronic wall calendar with app, instantly update your life moment, and keep in touch with your family, especially those who are far away; you can also surprise your smart calendar digital wall by sending him a wish card; it's also great for keeping tech-illiterate elders in touch with the youngsters.
If RCS was enabled in Google Messages and you switch away, keep Google’s deactivation option in mind if messages stop arriving. Google provides an in-app control for users who can access their phone and a web deactivation portal for users who cannot. Use the instructions for the situation you are in; do not assume that changing the default SMS app automatically turns RCS off.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.If messages stop arriving after the switch
Use this sequence to narrow down the problem without assuming that the message history has been erased:
- Check the default selection. Return to Settings > Apps > Default apps > SMS app (or the equivalent path on your phone) and confirm the intended app is still selected.
- Test ordinary SMS. Send and receive a basic text message. This helps distinguish a carrier-texting issue from an RCS-only feature issue.
- Check the new app’s setup and notifications. Confirm it completed any first-run setup and that notifications are enabled for it in Android. Menu names for notification controls vary by phone.
- Consider RCS deactivation. If RCS was enabled in Google Messages and delivery stopped after switching, Google specifically recommends considering turning off RCS chats. Use Google’s in-app control if you can open the phone, or its web deactivation portal if you cannot access it.
- Recheck history in the destination app. Google says messages are stored in the device SMS database, but the new app determines how existing history is shown. Consult that app’s support information if conversations are missing from its view.
If basic SMS still fails after checking the default app and RCS, the available guidance here does not identify a single cause. Check the phone maker’s and carrier’s support instructions for your device and service rather than assuming an app switch alone explains the failure.
Use the test results to describe the problem clearly when asking for help. For example, note whether the app is selected as default, whether an outgoing SMS succeeds, whether an incoming reply arrives, whether MMS works, and whether RCS had been enabled in Google Messages. This separates an app setup or notification issue from a problem that may involve carrier texting or RCS. It also avoids treating a missing conversation display as proof that the device database was erased.
Do these 3 things before closing this tab:
1Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitches2Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problems3Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteChoose an app based on the messages you need to send
| Option | What the available information establishes | What to verify before switching |
|---|---|---|
| Fossify Messages | Its F-Droid listing describes it as an SMS/MMS messaging app. Its privacy policy states that it does not request Android Internet permission and explains the SMS/MMS permissions it uses when it is the messaging app. | Review the current app listing and privacy policy. Confirm any features you need, including RCS, history behavior, and compatibility with your device; the cited description does not establish those details. |
| Signal for Android | Signal Support says the current Android app cannot send or receive SMS/MMS; its earlier SMS functionality was removed. | Use it for Signal conversations if appropriate, not as a replacement for ordinary carrier SMS/MMS. Confirm that the people you want to message can use Signal. |
| Another messaging app | Support varies by app. The available information does not establish a comprehensive list of current alternatives with equivalent RCS support. | Check SMS/MMS, RCS availability, carrier and regional coverage, history and restore behavior, permissions and privacy policy, and any features you rely on. |
The right choice depends on whether you need carrier SMS/MMS, RCS, or a separate internet-based messaging service. Establish that fit before changing the default, then test delivery and the history you care about on your own phone.
A practical comparison can begin with the people you message. If you need to reach contacts who do not use a particular service, make ordinary SMS/MMS support a requirement. If you depend on RCS, verify its support with the app developer and carrier instead of inferring it from support for SMS. If you mainly want an app for internet-based conversations with people who use that same service, confirm that this is a different use case from taking over carrier texting.
Then compare how each candidate handles existing conversations, permissions, and the features you personally use. Look at the current app listing and policy, and check the developer’s instructions for history and setup. A privacy statement about not requesting one permission can be useful information, but it is not a complete evaluation of an app’s security. Likewise, an app’s ability to send SMS/MMS does not establish RCS support or desktop access.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I change my default messaging app on Android?
Open Settings and look for Apps > Default apps > SMS app, then select the app you want to use and accept Android’s prompt if shown. Menu wording varies by phone and Android version, so search Settings for “SMS app” if the path differs.
Will I lose my text messages if I change messaging apps?
Changing the default does not by itself establish that your history is erased. Google describes messages as stored in the device SMS database, but the new app determines how existing conversations are displayed or restored. Check its instructions and verify important conversations after switching.
Will RCS still work if I switch SMS apps?
Do not assume so. RCS availability depends on the device, carrier, region, participants, and app. Confirm support with the new app’s developer and your carrier. If messages stop arriving after switching from Google Messages, Google advises considering turning off RCS chats.
Can Signal replace Google Messages for SMS and MMS on Android?
No. Signal Support says the current Android app cannot send or receive SMS/MMS; its earlier SMS functionality was removed. Signal can be used for conversations where both people use Signal, but it is not a replacement for ordinary carrier texting.
Will a backup move all my conversations into the new app?
Not necessarily. Android backups may include SMS and MMS, and Google says RCS messages are included when using Google Messages, but restoration depends on the phone and Android version. Backup is not a universal app-to-app migration guarantee.
What’s actually slowing this PC down?
Pick the symptom - the matching free tool is one click away.
The Bottom Line
To switch, install the app, then select it under Android Settings > Apps > Default apps > SMS app (or search Settings for “SMS app”). First confirm it supports the messaging you need, especially SMS/MMS and any RCS features you rely on. Test incoming and outgoing messages, check important history, and turn off Google Messages RCS chats if delivery stops after the change.
Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
