topic Re: Re: messages in Samsung Apps and Services

Any alternatives to Google Messages?

userBpu1DxPcYf — Mon, 20 Apr 2026 14:47:02 GMT

I do not want to switch to Google messages, is there better alternatives?

Re: messages

leosun — Mon, 20 Apr 2026 11:48:50 GMT

I dont know how to access 'clipboard'?

Re: messages

Pianodude58 — Mon, 20 Apr 2026 11:53:07 GMT

If you don't need RCS you can try a third-party app like Textra.

Re: Re: messages

Pianodude58 — Mon, 20 Apr 2026 11:56:57 GMT

When your keyboard is open, press the clipboard icon on the top toolbar.

Re: Any alternatives to Google Messages?

cathmarie — Mon, 20 Apr 2026 15:23:16 GMT

I'm pleased with NextSMS. It allows my font to show through. And they have their own themes. It's free to use with some minimal ads but I'm thinking of purchasing a subscription.

Re: Re: messages

CEParsons — Mon, 20 Apr 2026 15:57:06 GMT

I must admit I struggle to see why someone wouldn't want modern messaging features and proper cross-platform interoperability, but to each their own.

Re: Re: Re: messages

Pianodude58 — Mon, 20 Apr 2026 15:58:36 GMT

I definitely agree

Re: Re: Re: messages

CHaines — Mon, 20 Apr 2026 16:57:16 GMT

Samsung messages has features that Google messages doesn't. I hate Google messages myself and have always liked Samsung messages along with Samsung internet browser better than any other

Re: Re: Re: Re: messages

CEParsons — Mon, 20 Apr 2026 17:16:24 GMT

To my knowledge, categories and custom image backgrounds are the only *major* features that GMessages lacks. The features SMessages lacks (E2EE, proper interpretation of tapbacks, etc.) are more substantial in terms of security and cross-platform/carrier compatibility/interoperability.

GMessages will also be closing the gap soon on the customization front. https://www.androidauthority.com/google-messages-chat-customization-themes-3657175/

At any rate, Samsung Messages is being discontinued in the US and all users will need to choose a new messaging client, whether that is Google or a third party solution.

Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: messages

Robin621k — Mon, 20 Apr 2026 18:52:16 GMT

SMS/MMS is an antiquated protocol that doesn't keep up with how people share photos and videos today. There are many texting clients you can choose to use.

Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: messages

Robin621k — Mon, 20 Apr 2026 19:00:37 GMT

😂

Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: messages

Robin621k — Mon, 20 Apr 2026 19:00:46 GMT

😂

Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: messages

Robin621k — Mon, 20 Apr 2026 19:01:23 GMT

❤

Re: Any alternatives to Google Messages?

Nokkie — Tue, 21 Apr 2026 17:58:14 GMT

F-Droid has a few privacy/security driven FOSS apps for texting. There's no RCS ones available lol but that's part of the point

Re: Re: Re: messages

BlondieGranny — Tue, 21 Apr 2026 20:07:47 GMT

WOW! I never knew that. I use a different option to get to Clipboard, but this one is pretty cool. Too bad my phone is leaving soon tho...

Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: messages

BlondieGranny — Tue, 21 Apr 2026 20:57:59 GMT

But Categories is a really big deal! I have multiple friends that have iPhones and they are ALWAYS asking me to find some group message we have because they (1) either can't figure out how to keep them together OR (2) there's no way TO keep them together. And from what we've been hearing in these discussions, GOOGLE doesn't provide it either.

It is exceedingly necessary for me to group different folks or multiples of folks in separate categories. That isn't necessarily THE BEST thing, I'm sure, for every Samsung Customer. But for many thousands of us, IT IS THE BEST. Others may have different opinions.

I have a lot of smarter-than-me friends (at least, I thought they were). But I was never able to figure out why they couldn't pull up the message they were looking for. BUT iPhone doesn't have Categories -- how WOULD you find a needle in a haystack?
And Google doesn't either.