Why do I have two messaging apps on my Android?
If you own a Samsung device, you might have noticed how it came with two pre-installed messaging apps: Google Messages and Samsung Messages. Flagship Samsung phones have the former set as default, but mid-range and budget Samsung phones opt for the latter.
The first and biggest thing to know about the difference between SMS and text messages is that there is no difference. SMS, or Short Message Service, is a form of text message that's sent from one device to another.
- Go to Settings.
- Depending on your phone's Android version, do one of the following: Android 7 or later: Tap , and then enter and tap SMS app. Android 6: Tap Apps, and then tap > Configure apps > Default apps > Default messaging app.
- Select your preferred messaging app.
Samsung has decided to make Google Messages as its default app for text communications for Galaxy S22 series. The South Korean tech giant launched its latest innovation, the Galaxy S22 lineup at the Galaxy Unpacked event last week.
...
Best Secret Messaging Apps That Look Like Games
- Calculator Pro+ ...
- Hide My Text: Secret Private Text Message. ...
- Wickr Me. ...
- Confide. ...
- NetSfere Secure Messaging. ...
- NetSfere Secure Messaging.
Google's Messages app is now the default texting app for most Android phones, and the RCS standard allows for features that are similar to Apple's iMessage without requiring a specific type of phone or setting up a third-party texting app.
The main difference between SMS and MMS messages is the type of content you can send. With SMS, everything you're including has to be plain text and fit within 160 characters. (With extended SMS, you can send up to 306 characters.) MMS allows you to send images, videos, audio, and GIFs.
On the one hand, SMS messaging only supports text and links, while MMS messaging supports rich media such as images, GIFs, and video. Another difference is that SMS messaging limits texts to just 160 characters, while image messaging can include up to 500 KB of data (1,600 words) and up to 30 seconds of audio or video.
You can send and receive text (SMS) and multimedia (MMS) messages through the Messages app . Messages are considered texts and don't count toward your data usage. Your data usage is also free when you turn on chat features.
Both apps look the same except for a few differences. Google Messages only shows one line of the latest text under each conversation, whereas Samsung displays extended length. When you open both, you see conversations on the top, but scrolling down moves conversations.
What is mean by default SMS app?
Since the introduction of Android 4.4, Google allows only one app to run as default SMS app. Only your selected app is authorized to manage the SMS database entirely. The concept of one single default SMS app was introduced by Google and represents a change of the operating system that we are not able to influence.
Notably, you can install Google Messages on just about any Android phone including Samsung devices from the Play Store but Samsung Messages is only available for Samsung devices.

Newer phones come with at least two built-in messaging options: Samsung Messages and Messages by Google. Both apps have intuitive interfaces that make it fun and easy to send texts to your contacts.
Keep in touch with all of your contacts using the Messages app on your phone or tablet. It's never been easier to share photos, send emojis, or just say a quick hello.
In the S22 series, Google Messages also replaces Samsung Messages on the device's home screen. This is a relatively small change that many users might not notice, but it represents a big step forward for RCS adoption in the US thanks to Samsung's dominance in the Android sector of the US smartphone market.
Silence - Best Apps For Secret Texting
With the help of this secure messaging app, you can easily communicate with your friends and family from all around the world. Silence is also supported by various platforms including Android, iOS, Windows OS, Mac OS, etc.
The recipient must also agree to use Secret Conversations before they can access messages. You are able to have both a normal Facebook messenger conversation as well as a Secret Conversation with the same person. A padlock icon is displayed next to the person's profile picture to tell you if a conversation is 'Secret'.
Rich communication services (RCS) are meant to replace SMS as the default native text messaging service for all phones in the future. Most Android devices already have RCS messaging built-in. SMS was designed for simple communication but RCS was developed to improve communication and make it modern.
- Signal- Private Messenger for Web.
- iMessage – Best Secure Chat App for Mobile.
- Telegram – Most Secure Chatting App.
- Threema – Top Encrypted Messaging App.
- WhatsApp – Most Secure Messaging Platform.
- Wickr Me – Most Secured Private Messaging App.
- Viber – Secure Messaging Software.
According to the latest data, WhatsApp Messenger is the most popular messaging app downloaded on the Google Play Store in the USA. This is no surprise, considering it's the most used messaging app globally, with two billion users. After WhatsApp, the second-most used chat app in the USA is Snapchat.
What happens if I turn off MMS?
This will stop you from downloading images, audio, video, and documents while using mobile data. Tap When using Wi-Fi.
The maximum size of the text message can vary depending on your device and firmware version. Any message over the maximum size (sometimes 160 characters) will automatically be sent as an MMS.
Open the Messages app . Tap the conversation with an undelivered message. Tap the timestamp of the undelivered message. Tap Switch to text (SMS/MMS).
When you disable SMS, the iMessage system automatically takes over, and sends and receives messages using your cellular or Wi-Fi data connection.
The main disadvantage of MMS is that not all cell phones are MMS-enabled. As a result, MMS messages appear as text when they're sent to phones that can't accept MMS messages. This drawback limits who can receive MMS messages — even when the sender has a phone number.
A2A: Why do Android phones still use old MMS technology? Because phone providers still offer it as a service. In the UK it's often now out of band and expensive - about 45p a message on my plan, and there are plenty of alternatives, but it's a part of the SMS system.
These two terms are used interchangeably but actually refer to different types of messaging. The simplest way to understand the difference is that SMS refers to text messages, while MMS refers to messages with a picture or video.
Gboard edges out the Samsung one with more theming options, an excellent auto-correct and auto-suggestion capability, stickers, Google mini-apps integration and more. Samsung's slow development is hurting them here. Also, when you move to a device other than the ones from Samsung, you lose all the data.
SMS messages are used to communicate words and actual text, while MMS messages are used to communicate and send multimedia messages, like photos, videos, and other non-text-based messages. Android phones exclusively use SMS and MMS texting formats.
Messages is Google's official universal messaging platform for the Android ecosystem, similar to the implementation of iMessage in Apple devices.
What is the best Samsung texting app?
- WhatsApp (iOS, Android, Mac, Windows, Web)
- WhatsApp price: Free.
- Viber (iOS, Android, Mac, Windows)
- Viber price: Free.
- Telegram (iOS, Android, Web, Mac, Windows, Linux)
- Telegram price: Free.
- Signal (iOS, Android, Mac, Windows, Linux)
- Signal price: Free.
Samsung Messages is a tool that Samsung pre-installs by default on all their official devices. It provides users with an easy way to send and receive messages comfortably and safely. If you have a Samsung device, it should already appear on your smartphone as its official SMS and MMS client.
Step 1: Select three dots from the app drawer in the upper-right corner. The setting menu will open. Step 2: Select the option that shows Hide apps with the help of the drop-down menu. Step 3: You will see a list of applications from the app list that have been concealed on the screen.
Messages is tied to the Android platform and will work on any smartphone that runs on a version of Android OS. That is not the case with Messenger. Messenger is deeply integrated into Facebook and not tied to any mobile OS. You can install Messenger on Android, iOS, and Windows (mobile and Windows 10) platforms.
Feature variations between SMS and Google Messages
Unlike SMS, Google RCS uses the 4G network or WiFi rather than the operator's GSM network. If your 4G and/or WiFi is poor, the message you send or receive will simply be an SMS. But there are other factors that make Google Messages much more relevant.
Uninstalling and reinstalling the Messages by Google application should not result in text messages being deleted.
If you have an Android One or Google Pixel, Google Message is your default. If your settings are something else, easily change it by going to the Settings app, then hitting Apps and notifications > Advanced > Default apps > SMS app.
It means you're using Apple's Handoff feature. You may, for example, start your work in an app on the iPhone and conclude it using the same app on your iPad.
Newer phones come with at least two built-in messaging options: Samsung Messages and Messages by Google. Both apps have intuitive interfaces that make it fun and easy to send texts to your contacts.
The Dual Messenger function allows you to use two different accounts with one chatting app. That means you can keep your accounts for work and home separate, but on the same phone. Only specific models and apps are supported with Dual Messenger.
Why do I have 2 messengers?
If you start an end-to-end encrypted chat with someone you already have a regular Messenger chat with, you'll see two different chats in your mobile app. Chats that are secured with end-to-end encryption show a padlock icon by the person's profile picture.
Samsung Messages, as the more features you get, the better. Both support many options for sending in a message. The below image table shows all the possible options. Out of 15 features, Google Messages supports 12, and Samsung Messages offers 13, but two with the help of other Samsung apps.
For Samsung Galaxy S9/9+
If a message appears in a blue bubble, it means the message was sent via Advanced Messaging. A teal bubble indicates a message sent via SMS or MMS.
Notably, you can install Google Messages on just about any Android phone including Samsung devices from the Play Store but Samsung Messages is only available for Samsung devices.
Go to “Settings → Apps → Choose default apps → SMS app.” Select the new default messaging app. Repeat these steps to change the default app again in the future.
You can see your logged in devices that can send and receive end-to-end encrypted messages on Messenger and log out on them from your end-to-end encrypted chat. From Chats, tap on your profile photo in the corner. Tap Privacy and then tap Logins.
Samsung device: turn off the Dual Messenger feature from the device settings: Select Settings > Advanced features > Dual Messenger. Turn off the Dual Messenger feature.
You can save different Messenger accounts and switch between them. When you add a new account, the password won't be saved in Messenger unless you opt out of requiring a password to switch to the account. You can add up to five accounts that follow our name policies and Community Standards on authentic identity.
- Open the Messenger app on your Android device.
- Tap the search bar above at the top.
- Type in the name of the person you wish to find.
- If the green dot appears on their profile picture, they have Messenger installed on their device.
It's near the top of the screen. This displays a list of everyone who's active on Messenger. If a friend is online, you'll see a green circle on top of their profile image.
How do I use secret chat on Messenger?
Open the Messenger app and go to the profile icon. Scroll down the menu, and you will see the secret conversations button. Click on it and find any contact with whom you want to start a secret conversation.