The Samsung Galaxy S5 has been around for over a year and has recently been replaced by the new Galaxy S6, but that doesn’t mean owners can’t learn something new. We always get questions about smartphones from users and today we will explain how to change the default text app on Galaxy S5.
Whether you’ve had your phone for months or have it now at a discount since the Galaxy S6 was released, you probably still have questions. If you’re not a fan of the stock text messaging app on the Galaxy S5, there are tons of alternatives worth considering.
Like most Android smartphones made by someone other than Google, the Galaxy S5 has its own app for sending and receiving text messages. Instead of using Hangouts or Google’s stock Messenger app, each manufacturer makes their own. Stock text apps aren’t that appealing these days (we’re looking at you Samsung), and they’re not very customizable either. Fortunately, the power of Android means that you can download any of the hundreds of text message replacement apps from the Play Store and set them as the default option.
Even though the Galaxy S5 was recently updated to Android 5.0 Lollipop, the text messaging app is pretty plain and not very customizable. If you want options, there are several for you. Instead of using Samsung’s text app, download a 3rd party option that lets you change the notification icon, balloon colors, add quick create features to the notification bar, and much more. Lets start.
When you replace your stock app with something from game store you’ll probably be able to customize it with themes, change the look of message bubbles, customize the font, and more. It all depends on what you choose to download and the link above details a few of our favourites, then the guide below will help you change that.
Instructions
Starting with Android 4.4 KitKat in late 2013, Google has made it easier than ever to replace the stock text messaging app on Android devices. There is a special option in the settings that turns one on and the other off, so you don’t get two notifications from both the stock app and the new app you installed. Samsung’s settings menu is a bit convoluted, but we’ll explain it so you can figure it out in less than a minute.
First of all, you’ll want to go to the Google Play Store and download one of the many different third-party text apps. Textra is our favourite, GoSMS is nice, and a few people have linked our list above. Download and you are ready. Some even change the default app settings for you or follow the steps outlined below.
Go to settings by pulling down the notification bar and tapping the gear-shaped icon, or find the settings app in the app tray. Not all Galaxy S5 settings menus are the same, it varies by carrier, not to mention you can change it in two different areas. So just search for ““ or scroll down as it is near the bottom of the S5. Then select it and replace the app with your preferred app.
You can also go to the section or even go and select it from there. Any of these ways will change the text app from Samsung Messenger to Textra or whatever you have downloaded.
Once you’ve done that, you’ll now see Samsung’s own Messages app, Google Hangouts, and anything else you’ve downloaded. Again we use Textra so this is what we have shown and chosen as the default messaging app for sending SMS and MMS messages. Now all you have to do is select the text app you want and you are done.
Now when you send and receive messages they will be done through this app compared to what’s out of the box. Move the Textra icon to your main home screen or the bottom bar with your most popular apps and you’re done. This does not affect who can send or receive messages to you and everything will work as usual.
Textra and most 3rd party apps offer tons of customization, font size and color, themes and balloon colors, so go to settings and customize as you see fit. If you want to go back to the stock option, go back to settings > default messaging app > choose the regular one. It’s that easy.
Enjoy a better customizable text messaging experience on your Galaxy S5 and don’t hesitate to try other text replacement apps and find what works best for you.
