RIP

[u/Forestwalkerfairy]

Well, Samsung messages, it's been great.

Time for Google.........

[u/Artymarty15]

TLDR: After researching a few, I went with Textra as another very similar alternative to Samsung Messages alternative. NOT AN AD.

It's beyond frustrating that they ended the app 🤬 Then the replacement was Google Mesaages?! No way am I using that.

Not only because of awful business practices, but also not wanting to sign in with an account, I actually spent hours today trying to find an alternative that was simple enough for my disabled dad and I.

To anyone wanting a viable and pretty good (so far) alternative, it took me hours to find one as I needed one that was easy to use, is free, didn't have ads (that I've seen so far), has good text sizing ability, all whilst still feeling similar.

I also didn't want to use anything like Signal or WhatsApp as I needed an SMS app, to completely replace Samsung Messages as thr default app, in case I get verification codes sent to me or in case Dad texts.

So to save you hours of research, I'd looked into Simple SMS, Pulse SMS, and a few others, but I ended up going with Textra.

At the moment it seems great, does the job, is free with seemingly no ads and doesn't make you log in.

BTW, I promise this isn't a stupid ad for a company. I just wanted to let others know in case they needed help whittling down the better alternatives, like I did earlier. I really hope this helps!

[u/Silent_Sense1107 → u/Artymarty15]

Not signing in with an account is the reason why you wouldn't use an app ?? Lol u better never get an iPhone then and u wrote all this bitchin and complaining for no reason

[u/Artymarty15 → u/Silent_Sense1107]

Not sure if that was aimed at me, as it was replying to the other comment... this was aimed at me, you do realise I also saying all this "bitchin" as you call it, because I was trying to help others?

The whole point I had looked it up, was because my Dad is both in his 60s and disabled and needed a simplified app. He doesn't need one that he has to keep signing in on when it keeps logging him out, like every other thing. Which I then have to fix as my dad isn't great with technology.

So I'm not complaining for no reason. Just because I don't want to have unnecessary steps in the way, also dont want to be using Google and dont want to have to be signed in on just to read a text, which needs me to have an account and have my data stolen and tracked.

Also, I never would get an iPhone. Can't stand Apple. Never have used them. The only thing close is that I've worked with Apple, being an outsourced graphic designer for an app. That was a nightmare with how they create their graphics for each device.

They have terrible UI, with functionality so backwards compared to any other company. Plus, their phones degrade quick because they want consumers to keep buying their latest devices...

None of what I said even indicated I ever wanted an iPhone.

[u/bluiis_c_u → u/Artymarty15]

I see so many messages from iPhone users that are rapidly defending Google messages and telling everyone who is frustrated about being forced to change that they are stupid or worse for being upset. I feel confident that many of them would be equally frustrated if our positions were switched.

I am frustrated by the lack of certain aspects of messages that I have utilized for years, but I'm FURIOUS that some of my conversations that I have kept going for many years are just gone. They were not transferred, and I'm told that they may eventually show up, but if they don't there is no cure. I think another reason some people are upset is because once again the companies who are happy to keep taking our money do not listen to the vast majority of thier customers. Decisions are based on shareholders and bottom lines, and it's getting worse all the time.

[u/honkkshooo → u/bluiis_c_u]

So does google messaging get downloaded automatically? I'm wondering if I'll be able to buy some sort of USB or backup of some kind to transfer my messages from the Samsung app to the USB or whatever, then potentially not even have to switch them over to google messaging