Google Messages alternative
As of 19 Oct 2026, 8 Android apps can take over from Google Messages. Your number stays. Start with Textra SMS.
A fast SMS app with colours, scheduling and delayed send
A fast SMS app with colours, bubbles and fonts you can set per chat, plus scheduled and delayed texts. No account to make.
Hand-checked 21 Oct 2026.
The things people use Google Messages for, and which alternatives do them today. Hand-checked against each maker's own pages.
| Feature | Google Messages | Textra SMS | Messages | QUIK SMS | Fossify Messages |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SMS and MMS | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| RCS | ✓ | — | — | — | — |
| Works without an account | Google account | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Schedule a text | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | — |
| Backup or export threads | Google backup | ✓ | — | ✓ | ✓ |
Source: each maker's website, read by a person on 21 Oct 2026. "—" means not offered, as far as the maker says.
8 apps that can be your default SMS app. Sort by any column.
| App ▼ | What it does | Price | Updated ▼ | Min Android ▼ | Get it |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Textra SMSDelicious |
A fast SMS app with colours, scheduling and delayed send | — | Hand-checked 17 Oct 2026 | — | website |
SMSecureJimvixx |
An SMS app with encrypted conversations | Free | 15 Oct 2026 | Android 7.0+ | website |
QUIK SMSoctoshrimpy |
A calm inbox with themes, scheduling and backup | Free | 23 Sept 2026 | Android 6.0+ | website |
Pulse SMSKlinker Apps |
Texts from your phone, tablet, browser and computer | — | Hand-checked 17 Oct 2026 | — | website |
MessagesAnindra |
A Material 3 SMS app with pin, archive and scheduling | Free | 14 Oct 2026 | Android 10+ | website |
Fossify MessagesFossify |
and Ad-free SMS/MMS messaging app | Free | 15 Oct 2026 | Android 8.0+ | F-Droid |
Deku SMSAfkanerd |
SMS with optional encryption between Deku users | Free | 14 Oct 2026 | Android 7.0+ | website |
Clear SMSClear SMS |
Sorts personal, OTP and bank texts into a tidy inbox | Free | 14 Oct 2026 | Android 6.0+ | website |
Threads stay on the SIM and in the phone's SMS store. A new app reads them. Nothing to copy.
Pick one from the table. Keep Google Messages for now.
Settings, Apps, Default apps, SMS app. Pick the new one.
Codes and group texts should arrive. If something is off, set Google Messages back the same way.
Start with Textra SMS if you want colours, scheduling and a fast inbox. QUIK SMS if you want a quieter look with backup. Fossify Messages if you want something small and offline.
No. SMS and MMS stay on the SIM and in the phone's message store. A new default app reads them. RCS chats that only live in Google Messages may not follow you.
Yes. Settings, Apps, Default apps, SMS app. Pick Google Messages. The same threads are still there.
No. Textra, QUIK, Fossify Messages and Anindra Messages are SMS and MMS. If you need RCS, Google Messages still does that.
Not for Textra, QUIK, Fossify Messages or Anindra Messages. Pulse SMS uses an account if you want to text from a computer.
