Any alternatives to Google Messages?

[userBpu1DxPcYf]

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

[leosun]

I dont know how to access 'clipboard'?

[Pianodude58]

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

[BlondieGranny]

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...

[Pianodude58]

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

[CEParsons]

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.

[Pianodude58]

I definitely agree

[CHaines]

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

[CEParsons]

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.

[BlondieGranny]

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.