Like most Android smartphones made by someone other than Google, the HTC One M9 has its own app for sending and receiving text messages. Instead of using Hangouts or Google’s stock Messenger app, HTC, Samsung, and others create their own customizations based on their user interface guidelines. But here we will explain how to change the default text app on HTC One M9.
After months of rumors and hype, the HTC One M9 was announced on March 1 and finally reached all carriers in the United States on April 10. It runs the latest Android 5.0.2 Lollipop and a new Sense UI 7.0 interface made by HTC. The phone has a lot to offer and a new text app could make it even better.
Most stock text apps aren’t that attractive (we’re looking at you Samsung) and they’re not very customizable. Fortunately, the power of Android means that you can download any of the hundreds of text message replacement apps from the Play Store, set them as the default option, and use them with ease. You can even change the notification icon, add quick create features to the notification bar, and more. Lets start.
HTC’s new One M9 features a powerful new theme engine that lets you change the entire look and feel of your device in seconds. It changes the wallpaper, backgrounds, colors of apps and titles, and even the icons of some apps. However, the messaging app remains the same, but luckily we can change that with ease.
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 extremely easy 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.
First 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 popular, and a few people have made our list above. Download and you are ready. Some even change the settings for you or follow the next few steps.
Go to settings by pulling down the notification bar and tapping the gear-shaped icon, or find the settings app in the app tray. From here, the last option in the first column labeled “” is where you will want to tap, then the second option is ““. Choose this.
When you do, you’ll now see HTC’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.
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 > more > default messaging app > choose the normal one. It’s that easy.
Enjoy a better text messaging experience on your HTC One M9 and try other text replacement apps and find what works best for you.
