Change the Default Texting App on Android

5 Parts:

Set Default SMS App on Android Oreo

Set Default Texting App on Android Nougat

Change Default SMS App from Android Messages on Oreo

Tips, Tricks, and Warnings

Comments

One of the many great features of Android is the ability to change the default SMS app. For users, this is quite convenient because it gives them the chance to use other messaging apps besides the one that came pre-installed on their device. It's no secret that some texting apps work better than others on specific devices. This is why being able to change and test out other messaging apps is essential.

In the following VisiHow guide, we're going to go through the steps for setting the default SMS app on both Android Oreo and Android Nougat. For this article, we used a Google Pixel and a Samsung Galaxy S8.

1. 1
   On the home screen, swipe up to access your app drawer.

   

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2. 2
   Once inside the app drawer, tap the "Settings" shortcut.

   

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3. 3
   On the Settings screen, tap "Apps & notifications".

   

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4. 4
   From Apps & notifications, tap "Advanced".

   

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5. 5
   With the Advanced section expanded, tap "Default apps".

   

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6. 6
   On the Default apps screen, tap "SMS app".

   

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7. 7
   From the SMS app screen, select the app you wish to make your default.

   

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8. 8
   The following message will pop-up to inform you that the app you just selected won't be operational until you unlock your device

   .

   Tap "OK" to set your default SMS application.

   

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1. 1
   From the home screen, swipe up to access your app tray.

   

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2. 2
   Once inside the app tray, tap the "Settings" icon.

   

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3. 3
   On the SETTINGS screen, tap "Apps".

   

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4. 4
   From the APPS screen, tap the three-dot menu icon in the top right corner, then tap "Default apps".

   

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5. 5
   Once on the DEFAULT APPS screen, tap "Messaging app".

   

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6. 6
   On the MESSAGING APP screen, select the texting app you want to set as the default for your device.

   

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7. 7
   Depending on the device, a pop-up message may appear warning that changing your SMS app may cause other features not to function.

   

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1. 1
   Tap the "Android Messages" shortcut to open the app.

   
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