In this guide, we’ll go over some common Android Messages problems and offer tips to fix them. Android Messages is Google’s default text messaging app for millions of smartphones. Whether you have a Google Pixel 2, Pixel 3 XL or any other device. Sending text messages is something we do every day and it’s extremely frustrating when it doesn’t work.
Google Messages is great, but not without problems. We’re seeing complaints about the Pixel 2 XL text app crashesAndroid Messages run slowor users I can’t send text.
If you’re having problems, we’ll help you clean the app, fix some issues, or completely replace your text messaging app for a fresh start.
Google has recently added many new options and features to Android Messages. The biggest one is the ability to send and receive texts from your computer. While these new features are nice, we’re seeing a huge increase in complaints about Android Messages not working, crashing, running slow, or deleting messages. Try these to solve your problems.
How to Fix Android Messages Running Slow
The biggest complaint we’ve seen with Google’s Android Messages app is that it runs slow, lags, and has trouble keeping up with users. There are several possible causes for this and several ways to fix it.
Our first recommendation is to always restart your phone. Even if it’s an app that acts funny. Whatever phone you have, long press the power button and then tap . This should fix the slow running Android Messages.
Next, how many text messages do you have on your phone? Some general maintenance and cleaning can go a long way. If you’ve sent and received messages for a year or two and never deleted old messages, you probably have a TON of them. The average person under 34 sends or receives more than 100 texts per day. Combine them for a year and you have over 36,000 messages on your phone.
So yes, deleting old messages and group messages can and certainly will make Android Messages work better. I delete anything older than 30 days. If that doesn’t fix your problem, try clearing the cache.
Go to ve. Now, just tap and press the button. This won’t delete any of your messages, so don’t worry. It just cleans up leftover files and gives the app a fresh start.
In fact, whatever problem you’re dealing with, try clearing the cache. This is the first and most important step before taking more drastic measures.
How to Fix Android Messages Crashing
For me Android Messages keeps crashing all the time. Even after deleting old messages and clearing the cache. Also, we often see complaints from others about it. If you’re in the middle of a reply and the reply crashes, the entire message is deleted. This is extremely frustrating.
If Android Messages is repeatedly crashing for you, try forcing the app to close. This basically bypasses the error causing it to crash and turns it off manually. Then, when you open the app again, it will restart. Here’s how to “force close” or “force stop” Android Messages.
When you choose Force Stop, it will completely shut down and disable the Android Messages app on your phone. You will have to physically tap the icon again to turn it on, otherwise you will miss incoming messages and notifications. This closes and kills the app until you open it again.
Force closing gives apps a fresh start and usually fixes minor issues users encounter. It’s not always the answer, but it doesn’t hurt to try.
How to Disable Smart Replies
This isn’t really an issue, but it’s something we see people asking all the time. In 2018, Google added “smart reply” popups to your conversations. Gmail owners can easily and quickly reply to someone in a message by tapping the words above the keyboard. It’s a nice feature, but it gets in the way of too many and often doesn’t say to yourself what you want to say.
Open Android Messages and tap near the top right corner. Go back and turn the key. You will now have a normal messaging experience without all those reply popups.
How to Fix Missing Picture Messages
Having trouble sending or receiving picture messages (MMS) in Android Messages? If so, you probably turned it off by mistake. Open the app and tap the 3 dots at the top. Now tap on it and make sure it is turned on and blue. It’s that easy.
Additionally, you may have an APN issue with your carrier, especially if you’re using an unlocked device at a regional carrier or if you brought a Verizon phone to T-Mobile. Call your carrier for help with APN settings or follow this guide that works on most devices.
Other Android Messages Issues
We found tons of minor Android Message issues or complaints scattered across Twitter, Reddit or the Google Play Store. However, almost any problem you are dealing with will most likely be fixed by trying the three steps outlined above.
First, delete old text and picture messages that you no longer need or want. This is an important step, although time consuming. You can transfer them all to your computer or use them. SMS Backup to save them if you are worried about losing something important. After that try restarting your phone, clearing the cache or force closing the app.
However, if you’re still having problems, we have one more solution. This is a last resort as there is a small chance when using this route, group chats or picture messages. You shouldn’t, but it’s a possibility. We will clear app data for Android Messages.
This will delete all settings, files, app data and customization. Basically deleting everything and giving Android Messages a fresh start. Your phone should save all your text messages.
When you open your text app again by following this step, it may take some time to load. This is because Android Messages imports all your text messages. So while you shouldn’t lose anything, don’t be surprised if you lose it or if the images are incomplete/ragged. That’s why we recommend backing up them first.
Download a New Android Text Messenger App
In closing, we have one more suggestion for those who are having trouble. Try a different text messaging app. Google’s Android Messages isn’t your only option. Your Pixel 3 XL does not get stuck while using Android Messages. Download one of the dozens of text app alternatives from the Google Play Store. We recommend Textra, and so do almost everyone else on Reddit or Google’s help forums.
Download and open a new text messaging app for your phone. Most have instructions to “set by default” so you don’t get duplicate notifications. This will set your phone to only allow this particular app to send and receive messages, and the setup will usually transfer all your messages as well.
Textra is highly customizable, fast, stable and works great. You won’t encounter all the problems we have with Google’s Android Messages app. Try it and even ChompSMS today.
If you’re dealing with any other issue, let us know in the comment section below. We will do our best to help.
