How to Change the Default Messaging App on Android

Edited 1 week ago by ExtremeHow Editorial Team

Messaging AppAndroidDefault SettingsSmartphoneCommunicationUser InterfaceCustomizationMobile OSDevice ManagementPerformance

Changing the default messaging app on your Android device can improve your texting experience. The new messaging app may offer better features, a better interface, or more customization options. The process is straightforward and involves a few simple steps. This guide will show you how to change the default messaging app on your Android device.

Step-by-step guide

Step 1: Download your new messaging app

First, select and download a new messaging app from the Google Play Store. Popular examples include:

• WhatsApp
• Facebook Messenger
• Signal
• Telegram

To do this, follow these steps:

1. Open the Google Play Store on your Android device.
2. Search for the messaging app you want to install using the search bar.
3. Select the app from the search results.
4. Tap the Install button to download and install the app.

Once the installation is complete, you can proceed to the next step.

Step 2: Access the default app settings

Now that your new messaging app is installed, you need to set it as the default app. Here’s how you can do it:

1. Open the Settings app on your Android device. You can usually find it on your home screen or in the app drawer.
2. Scroll down and tap the Apps option. Depending on your device, this may also be labeled as Apps & Notifications or Application Manager .
3. Look for an option called Default Apps and tap on it. If you don't see this option right away, it may be located under a sub-menu.

Step 3: Change the default messaging app

In the Default apps menu, you can change the default settings for different types of apps, including messaging apps. Follow these steps:

1. Tap on the SMS app or Messaging app . This will open a list of all messaging apps installed on your device.
2. Select the new messaging app you installed from the list. For example, if you installed WhatsApp, tap WhatsApp to set it as the default messaging app.

Your selection will be saved automatically. Your new messaging app is now the default app for sending and receiving SMS messages.

Additional tips and information

Why change the default messaging app?

There are several reasons why you might want to change your default messaging app:

• Advanced features: Some third-party messaging apps offer features that are not available in the default app, such as end-to-end encryption, stickers, GIFs, and more.
• User interface: You might prefer the look and feel of a different app, which can make texting more enjoyable.
• Customization: Third-party apps often offer more customization options, such as themes and custom notification tones.

Common problems and troubleshooting

Although changing your default messaging app is usually easy, you may encounter some problems. Here are some common problems and their solutions:

• The app doesn't appear: If the new app doesn't appear in the list of messaging apps, make sure it's installed correctly. If necessary, try reinstalling the app.
• Notifications not working: If you're not receiving notifications from the new messaging app, check the notification settings in both the app and the device's settings.
• Compatibility issues: Some older device models may have compatibility issues with new apps. Make sure your device software is up-to-date.

Reverting to the default messaging app

If you decide the new messaging app isn’t for you, switching back is just as easy:

1. Follow the same steps to access the Default Apps settings.
2. Tap on the SMS app or Messaging app .
3. Select the native messaging app, often labeled as Messages or Messaging .

Example code snippets for developers

If you are a developer and want to programmatically determine the default SMS app, here is a simple code example in Java:

    // Import necessary packages
import android.content.ComponentName;
import android.content.Context;
import android.content.Intent;
import android.content.pm.PackageManager;
import android.provider.Telephony;

public class DefaultSMSAppExample {
    public static void setDefaultSmsApp(Context context) {
        // Get the package name of the app to be set as default
        String packageName = context.getPackageName();
        
        // Enable the app's receiver
        ComponentName componentName = new ComponentName(context, SmsReceiver.class);
        PackageManager packageManager = context.getPackageManager();
        packageManager.setComponentEnabledSetting(
            componentName,
            PackageManager.COMPONENT_ENABLED_STATE_ENABLED,
            PackageManager.DONT_KILL_APP
        );
        
        // Set the app as the default SMS app
        Intent intent = new Intent(Telephony.Sms.Intents.ACTION_CHANGE_DEFAULT);
        intent.putExtra(Telephony.Sms.Intents.EXTRA_PACKAGE_NAME, packageName);
        context.startActivity(intent);
    }
}

This code snippet changes the default SMS app to your app programmatically. Make sure you include the permissions to send and receive SMS in your AndroidManifest.xml file:

    <uses-permission android:name="android.permission.RECEIVE_SMS" />
<uses-permission android:name="android.permission.SEND_SMS" />
<uses-permission android:name="android.permission.READ_SMS" />

<application>
    <receiver android:name=".SmsReceiver" android:permission="android.permission.BROADCAST_SMS">
        <intent-filter>
            <action android:name="android.provider.Telephony.SMS_RECEIVED" />
        </intent-filter>
    </receiver>
</application>

Conclusion

Changing the default messaging app on your Android device can give you a new and improved texting experience. Whether you want better features, a modern interface, or better customization, many messaging apps available on the Google Play Store can meet your needs. The process is quick and easy, requiring just a few steps in your device's settings. If you ever run into problems or decide to switch back, you can follow the same steps in reverse. Have fun exploring new messaging options and finding the perfect app for your needs!

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