There have been many changes over the past year and new features have been added to Google Hangouts. Google’s own chat service similar to WhatsApp and others. Google Voice is integrated so you can make phone calls and they even added the option to use Google Hangouts as your default text messaging app on Android smartphones. Unless you’re buying a Nexus smartphone, most carriers or manufacturers have their own text app, but if you want to use Hangouts for all of them, here we’ll explain how.
Google Hangouts is often used as an online messaging app similar to WhatsApp, BBM, Line, GroupMe or any of the other messaging apps, it’s only available on all smartphones, tablets and can be accessed from computers and more from within Gmail. Its cross-platform capabilities make it extremely useful.
There are plenty of text messaging app alternatives besides the ones installed on your new Galaxy S6 (or any smartphone) and our link above covers a few of the best. However, if you want to use Google Hangouts for all your messaging and text (SMS/MMS) needs, it’s now a worthwhile option.
To be honest, I prefer to keep my online messages and text messages separate. That’s why I use Textra as my regular messaging app and Hangouts when I’m on the computer chatting with my friends and family. However, some may want everything in one convenient place, so Google added this feature.
In our opinion, using Google Hangouts as your default text and picture messaging app is not the best experience. Everything is a bit confusing and complicated and has almost no customization or settings that most text apps offer. However, it can be done with just a few taps in the settings, so let’s give it a try.
Instructions
Those with a new Galaxy S6 or HTC One M9 probably have the Samsung messenger app or HTC’s own messages app for the default messaging app. With Android 5.0, Google even released its own versions that somehow replaced Hangouts. So the options are endless and the fact that Google allows us to use Hangouts doesn’t make things easier to do or understand.
Later carriers add their own. Verizon phones come with Verizon’s own messenger+ app, which is often replaced by the stock Samsung app or Google Play Store like Textra, GO SMS, and others. But if you still want to try using Hangouts for everything, here’s how to do it.
Go to settings by pulling down the notification pop-up bar and pressing the gear-shaped icon or find the settings in your app tray. Near the top of the settings on almost all devices you will see WiFi, Bluetooth and a few options, then ““. This is where you manage which app is the default text app on any smartphone.
So you will go to settings > more > default messaging app > and choose from the list. I have four on my Verizon Galaxy S6 as I downloaded a few and just choose Hangouts as your text messaging app.
When you launch Google Hangouts, you can send a text message to any of your contacts. It may require you to accept the terms and port your number, but it’s all easy and explains what’s going on in full screen. Unfortunately, when trying to compose a message it shows an email address first and the second number, so most of the time I see I hit the wrong address and I can’t send texts. However, once you’ve confirmed your number and synced contacts, you can choose to send a Hangout or SMS anytime using the little button to the left of any conversation just above your keyboard.
You will now see all your regular Hangout messages (if using) and regular texts. If you chat and text someone in Hangouts, you can merge the conversation; this is the only thing I’ve found useful in using Hangouts to send text messages. There’s a small icon that separates the message as a text or hangout, but it’s still a bit convoluted and not our favorite.
As you can see above, I now have both options. I can send a regular text to anyone or send it as a Hangout message. It’s useful but also a little confusing. It’s a good idea to go to Hangouts > Settings > SMS > and review the settings and options. Set a ringtone or notification, group messages together, merge conversations (if you want), and more.
That is all. All you have to do is set Hangouts as your default text messaging app, make sure the settings in the app are correct and sync your contacts, and you’re done. You can now send text messages via Hangouts instead of the default SMS app on your phone and quickly switch to regular online Hangout messages and return with ease. A nice idea for some, but too convoluted and featureless for others. If you’re interested, try it today or download one of the apps from our Best practices post linked at the top of the page.
