I got this notice today as well. Not excited about google
Something secure like Signal?
Messages v 15.2..40.7 is on my S21
Texting Apps List
Based on the provided search results, here is a comprehensive list of texting apps mentioned:
Viber
Pulse SMS
Textra SMS
Chomp SMS
Google Messages (formerly Android Messages)
TextMagic
Textedly
DialMyCalls
Wickr Me
Telegram
Signal
Kik
TextFree
Note that this list may not be exhaustive, as the search results only covered a specific set of articles and reviews. However, this list represents a diverse range of popular texting apps across various platforms, including Android and iOS.
Signal
Carrier pigeon, of course… :-)
Use Telegram. The despotic powers that be in the West want to ban it because it offers user privacy.
Signal app is great. Very secure (supposedly). https://signal.org/
I like it because I can text from my phone and my desktop. Everything is duplicated (if desired). I hate typing on my phone, but you do what you gotta do.
Most of those apps listed below require the other person to also have the same app on their phone to work. It’s not the same as SMS messages which are pretty universal on all devices. Comes with the operating system. I don’t know what Verizon messenger is.
I own a Galaxy Note 10+. I use the SMS app that Samsung provides and it works wonderfully. Also, if you haven’t, try out Samsung’s Internet browser (I’d use either one of those before touching anything Googlish).
I’m going to give Mighytext a try since it also allows for SMS via PC apparently. That was just one I found last night after a brief search.
Me too. Today it stopped me from reading my texts .
Google is my only recourse? Geesh.
I downloaded Chomp a few hours ago and so far it’s doing a good job and I might even like it better than the Verizon app. I text a lot for work, about 10 or more text conversations a day, often with pictures and this one is doing fine! When you type in Chomp, there are two that come up - I got the one with the smiley face and am recommending it to you. Good luck Bigg Red!
I use Google Messages — the two-toned call-out icon. I like it because I can schedule messages to be sent at a later day and time. Probably most do that; I don’t know.
BTW, Verizon sub-reddit says you can still use Messages+, they just won’t be supporting it...
Who actually makes your Android phone?
Mine is made by Samsung and when I simply did not like the default Adnroid/Google message app, I switched to the better message app supplied by Samsung.
I just did that “upgrade” - Google Messages is barely OK and I much preferred the User Interface of the Verizon app. I have to have an SMS product from which I can make phone calls on my tablet and figured I might as well settle on a single app. The upgrade is easy but don’t do it manually as I did or you’re going to be adding the perms one by one. Ugh.