So on my iphone I could have group conversations with 3 other people and it would all be in the same conversation window, I but now, on my one x, when I try this it just sends to everyone individually. It works on my friends droid because he has the verizon messaging app which isn't available to att users (I think)
anyways I was just wondering if there was a simple solution to this (I've tried two 3rd party messaging apps with no luck)
Yeah, you're not gonna be able to get that, AFAIK. The "WhatsApp Messenger" app does this, but that's not actual text messaging, it's an IM app that uses your contacts phone numbers to identify them, and can only message other WhatsApp users.
Just for my own curiosity, when you would do this with your iPhone, would all the other participants be iPhone users? Or would it be a mixed bag of BB/Android/WP7/iPhone?
You should check out the app 'GroupMe'.
Great app that can do either real texting or over the internet messages.
The catch is, you have to message a 'Group number' and GroupMe then forwards that message on to everyone else.
This enables you to add/remove people to a conversation.
You can make these numbers private or public
I'm pretty sure they support every os and you can also just use their website to send messages.
It's all free which is the best part.
This is one of my biggest gripes with Android ICS. My Galaxy Nexus wasn't able to do group SMS either and, coming from an iPhone where I had lots of groups, it's a pain in the ass.
Also, using 3rd party apps that require every other person you want to chat with to also have the app is not a real solution. GroupMe is even worse than the rest b/c if someone EVER had the app (and no longer does) it doesn't recognize that and just doesn't deliver the message at all.
NextNexus said:
This is one of my biggest gripes with Android ICS. My Galaxy Nexus wasn't able to do group SMS either and, coming from an iPhone where I had lots of groups, it's a pain in the ass.
Also, using 3rd party apps that require every other person you want to chat with to also have the app is not a real solution. GroupMe is even worse than the rest b/c if someone EVER had the app (and no longer does) it doesn't recognize that and just doesn't deliver the message at all.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The awesome thing about GroupMe is you don't need the App at all. You can use their service purely through texting.
[email protected] said:
The awesome thing about GroupMe is you don't need the App at all. You can use their service purely through texting.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You didn't read what I wrote. If someone EVER had the app and got rid of it then the app doesn't recognize that and simply doesn't deliver the message at all. This is even worse than simply not being able to message people who don't have the app b/c now the sender has no clue whether their messages were delivered to each recipient.
NextNexus said:
You didn't read what I wrote. If someone EVER had the app and got rid of it then the app doesn't recognize that and simply doesn't deliver the message at all. This is even worse than simply not being able to message people who don't have the app b/c now the sender has no clue whether their messages were delivered to each recipient.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If I am not mistaken, If the user changed his settings through the web interface he could set it up to be texting only again.
I have never ran in to this issue personally. When I removed the App from my phone I would still get the messages, just not through texts until I switched the settings.
Sorry for not fully understanding the first time.
Related
Ive seen MS chose to combine IM and SMS and to me this looks really messy.
First of all the integration of IM is quite nice but I wish it was kept seperate from SMS conversations since these are to the majority of people still different than IMs and used on different devices or apps. I dont want to continue a conversation automatically on a different app or something. This will be very annoying to the other user.
Certainly if somebody just left his/her pc on or IM on accidently....
They should have added facebook private messaging as well and IM/SMS seperated like it was and just added a chat pivot in the messaging hub.
to me an sms is still something every user has always with him her, like when u send somebody an address or something it should be on their phones and not deliverd trough IM and its annoying having to switch first.
Its kind of short sighted implementation, the idea is good but the reality will be very annoying the way it works now.
you will get a ton of sms like notifications for every IM which can be annoying since on a chat conversation people send much more messages per minute than trough sms. Having to toggle online offline all the time will be a pita
am i the only one who thinks this will be garbage? Instead they should have allowed third party apps like whatsapp to use this on user permission. I hope I can switch off the live messenger. Or just revert back to the original sms screen
I like the idea to have an overview of my messages regardlessly whether they come via SMS, Windows Live or Facebook. Although I agree that getting notifications for all those messages shown on the SMS tile would be kind of overwhelming. But I can imagine Microsoft changes the way the tile works. So it still shows the number of SMS, but in addition to that shows an icon or something when you recieve a chat message from Facebook or Windows Live.
In my opinion.. the best feauture ever, of every OS. Loved that!
I love it as well, and think its nice not to have to go to 4 different places for my facebook, text, wlm & (eventually skype).
While I hope they either have a toggle setting for separate 'rows', or add it soon after Mango for those who really don't like it, I honestly doubt they want to mess it up by having too many places for messages. It fits in pretty perfectly with their vision for the overall UI design imo.
For me,M$ thread is not a new idea,it just copying the messaging app in the HP webos...however HP webos messaging is better,they can download apps that support HP connect and integrate into the messaging app(so,this means they can have more than 1 im clients in 1 messaging app).
Feel so sorry to HP webos,always being copied by others,even the UI design of playbook has been copied
Marvin_S said:
First of all the integration of IM is quite nice but I wish it was kept seperate from SMS conversations since these are to the majority of people still different than IMs and used on different devices or apps. I dont want to continue a conversation automatically on a different app or something. This will be very annoying to the other user.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Threading will be the beginning of the end for SMS IMNSHO. Most people still use SMS because it's what they know and are used to.
My wife is a great example, she keeps sending me SMSes while I'm out because that's what she's used to. Even though I've had email (and to some extent IM) on my phones since forever. With a "messaging hub" it takes all the guesswork out of the equation - she'll write the message as she normally does and the phone will decide whether it should deliver via FB, Messenger, Skype or SMS.
Now, if you don't want to continue the conversation if the user has moved to a different device you don't have to. The phone will tell you how the message was sent as well as what services the recipient is currently logged on to.
Marvin_S said:
to me an sms is still something every user has always with him her, like when u send somebody an address or something it should be on their phones and not deliverd trough IM and its annoying having to switch first.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This just proves my point - you're used to SMS. And again, you can choose whether to send as SMS or IM.
Personally I find this feature great. Two things should be done to make it even better though;
1. Implement a industry-wide protocol so it doesn't matter if you're on a crackberry, iphone or windows phone. Sure, Skype and Messenger goes a long way towards achieving this but there are still people who use smaller IM services only.
2. Allow third-party apps to hook in to the messaging hub - there's a few apps out there today that are not chat apps as such but still implement messaging. Being able to receive (and reply to) these messages from the same place would be great. It would also make it easier for other IM services to integrate with the OS.
dkp1977 said:
Although I agree that getting notifications for all those messages shown on the SMS tile would be kind of overwhelming.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
But why? Are you less likely to want to read a message coming in thru Messenger than one delivered via SMS? I for one don't care how my messages are delivered, I just want to be notified. It's a bit like having three post boxes outside your house - one for deliveries by DHL only, another for Deutsche Post and a third for everyone else - i.e. pointless
I really like this new feature as well. I am confident that any replies you send to someone will use the same service they used to "text" you, unless you choose to change it. People on non-WP7 phones won't suddenly need to be jumping all over the place.
On the other hand, when other people send you messages from multiple sources (SMS, FB, WLM, etc), you will be able to get all of the messages in one convenient place. I like that.
I can't believe android doesn't have this feature down pact. I'm hoping its just me.
Is there a way to send a text message to multiple recipients and when any of them reply it shoes up in the same thread and not as its own seperate sms??? This way, you can "reply to all" the recipients and have an ongoing chat with all the SMS recipients in that thread.
Not sure if I am explaining the problem correctly, so if you get what I mean, feel free to elaborate.
I'm hoping there is an app or something to help with this primitive issue.
Also, I have tried a bunch if apps. I don't want to have a seperate number for texting or have to register for a service or anything out of the ordinary. Just want to be able to do group texting with my friends using my own number.
Thanks!
Sent from my SGH-T989 using XDA
mikers1 said:
I can't believe android doesn't have this feature down pact. I'm hoping its just me.
Is there a way to send a text message to multiple recipients and when any of them reply it shoes up in the same thread and not as its own seperate sms??? This way, you can "reply to all" the recipients and have an ongoing chat with all the SMS recipients in that thread.
Not sure if I am explaining the problem correctly, so if you get what I mean, feel free to elaborate.
I'm hoping there is an app or something to help with this primitive issue.
Also, I have tried a bunch if apps. I don't want to have a seperate number for texting or have to register for a service or anything out of the ordinary. Just want to be able to do group texting with my friends using my own number.
Thanks!
Sent from my SGH-T989 using XDA
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I use whatsapp for this kind of functionality. Similar technology as iMessaging in iOs and bbm in blackberry (duh)
Yes, I use what's app also and it works great! But I am trying to get this to work for the stock SMS in the Android OS like most other phones and OS's.
Sent from my SGH-T989 using XDA
No you will need to use a 3rd party app link handcent SMS. The stick SMS app doesn't have this option. Even the 3rd party apps are still working on the feature as its not used by the vast majority of users.
Yea, I use Go SMS Pro and its great, but even that and Handcent can't handle group messaging. I thought (was hoping) the issue was me and not with the Android OS.
Its just the weirdest thing that such a great system can't handle group SMS.
Anyone else that may have found a way??
Sent from my SGH-T989 using XDA
mikers1 said:
Yea, I use Go SMS Pro and its great, but even that and Handcent can't handle group messaging. I thought (was hoping) the issue was me and not with the Android OS.
Its just the weirdest thing that such a great system can't handle group SMS.
Anyone else that may have found a way??
Sent from my SGH-T989 using XDA
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Handcent has a new update out that is supposed to work. I dont know as I dont know anyone that uses it so have not been able to test myself. Android was made to be all the basics and anything more they left it up to 3rd party apps. Its all about people developing things for it like a linux system.
Do a search for the handcent update and in the last few posts will be a link to the version for group texting
Good point! That's what I love about android. But its still very weird that this hasn't been implemented.
Anyways, I will re-download the handcent app and give it a try again. Buy I remember seeing this "update" and also remember it not working correctly.
Thanks for the update. I will post if it works ...
Sent from my SGH-T989 using XDA
This feature is implemented in stock ICS sms app ... you dont have to use any third party app if you use ICS
Highfiveyo said:
This feature is implemented in stock ICS sms app ... you dont have to use any third party app if you use ICS
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It is not. In the stock ICS sms app. It is stated flat out in the AOSP code that it is not there. That is why 3rd party apps have to be used for the feature like the iphone.
Yes, it is not a stock ICS feature. I have two friends on iphone that are sending me group text and it is rather annoying to receive separate texts instead of having it grouped together.
having the same need
i'm having the same need..... anyone?
Also want this...looking for an option that doesn't require everyone in the group to be using the same app for messaging, Android/iOS combos, etc.
I have Handcent installed, but there is zero documentation that I can find regarding their recent updates to their Group text feature.
What I want is I send a message to a group, and all replies go to everyone in the group. Likely not going to happen across SMS apps/platforms.
What I'd settle for is I send a message to a group and all replies go back to that group conversation in Handcent. However, if someone in that group later (next hour/next day) sends me a text as a separate conversation I want that to come in on it's own, not in the group.
Yes! This is what this thread is all about.
This kind of functionality should be standard (especially for android).
The oldest blackberry I had would even do this. I can't understand why is seems difficult for someone to develop.
Sent from my SGH-T989 using XDA
with go sms no prob.
Apparently the new update claims that it has it. I got it and tried to group text with android and iPhone users and it still didn't work. Did it work for you? Did u do something special (other then turning the feature on in the settings)??
Sent from my SGH-T989 using XDA
Been trying to figure this out for the past year. everyone group sms i've tried. same thing. going to try this group sms. will let you know.
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.mobappli.groupsms&hl=en
A friend of mine has a droid on Verizon and it was working the way OP described. It's called Verizon Messaging, can't verify i'm on Sprint.
I've had this same issue for about a year now. My friends have the Droid Bionic, and they can do group texting just fine from the stock SMS app. The text goes out in the group thread, and the incoming texts that have that same group of cell numbers go into the group thread.
But on my previous Droid X, this did not happen. And it didn't work in the GoSMS app for the longest time either. But GoSMS did recently add that feature (MMS texts to a certain group of cell numbers goes under the group thread). It did not work perfectly though. Each group text I received would make a notification sound twice: once when the text was received from the person, then again when the text was moved to the group thread. Annoying, but it worked.
Now, I just got the Samsung Galaxy S3 on Verizon, and I totally expected it to work perfectly with group texting. But I was wrong.
So I'll go through and try to figure out if GoSMS has fixed the double-notification problem yet or if Handcent or another SMS app will work with this. How frustrating!
If you use GroupMe it works perfect you can even add like a name to the group for what you're talking about etc. The other people don't even need to have the app it works as a regular sms as well but everyone can see the replies. I've used and it works great!!
I'm using go sms and the group texting works fine but every response I make basically gets repeated back to me and shows up in the group conversation. Does this happen for anyone else? How do i make it stop?
Does anyone know of any mod or ROM that will properly support group MMS in android as it is properly support on iPhone, WP7, and BlackBerry?
On the HTC One X the messages arrive properly but when I send a reply, it gets sent as an individual SMS. Interestingly, if I attach an image (thus forcing it to convert to MMS), it will reply-all correctly.
So I guess .... something has to be modified so that the OS knows to send as MMS (with text only) when responding to a group
Use goSMSPro or Handcent. Need to enable it in both.
jiggytom said:
Use goSMSPro or Handcent. Need to enable it in both.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I appreciate the suggestion. I dont want to put words int eh OPs mouth, but I think they were referring to a way to mod or update native software so that the native messages app works properly with MMS. for many people, using a 3rd party app for messaging is not preferable.
that said, there are threads running around XDA regarding installing the stock ICS messaging app. perhaps that would work properly with group messaging on HOX (I would assume but haven't tried).
The stock app doesn't work with group messaging either, to my knowledge but someone can correct me if I am wrong.
Moto BLUR software has this implemented in their messaging app. Don't think its that easy of a thing to do.
Basically the messages come in as MMS and they are grouped together by the software.
This is the worst if you came from an iPhone and have a lot of friends with iPhones. I get group texts daily so I had to download Go SMS. After enabling group texting in Go SMS the group messages are shown properly in the stock HTC messaging app, but I still need to use Go if I want to reply to the group texts.
Gtg you have a one x to? Awesome this is a good thing
Sent from my HTC One X using xda premium
I've also been wondering this too.. I just installed Go SMS Pro but I still can't seem to get it to function like the iPhone would where its all in one conversation sort of like an online chat room. Hmmm anyone else have any tips?
edit: all working smooth now so happy.
jiggytom said:
The stock app doesn't work with group messaging either, to my knowledge but someone can correct me if I am wrong.
Moto BLUR software has this implemented in their messaging app. Don't think its that easy of a thing to do.
Basically the messages come in as MMS and they are grouped together by the software.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This is good to know, thanks. So this issue seems to be isolated as a flaw in ICS, then, correct?
fitchpuckman said:
This is good to know, thanks. So this issue seems to be isolated as a flaw in ICS, then, correct?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I wouldn't say its a "flaw", its just an unimplemented feature. Not sure why they never took the time to do it, it's pretty popular.
jiggytom said:
I wouldn't say its a "flaw", its just an unimplemented feature. Not sure why they never took the time to do it, it's pretty popular.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Oh okay, thanks. I wasn't sure if it was a bug or just not developed. Seems very odd that they didnt implement group MMS.
gtg465x said:
This is the worst if you came from an iPhone and have a lot of friends with iPhones. I get group texts daily so I had to download Go SMS. After enabling group texting in Go SMS the group messages are shown properly in the stock HTC messaging app, but I still need to use Go if I want to reply to the group texts.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Exactly this.
GoSMS is ok but is rather ugly, and crash-happy. What will happen is that a group message comes in, then gosms groups it into the threaded convo so I get 2 notifications for every 1 message. It's rather annoying. Handcent is even uglier.
I share your frustrations. I have tried ChompSMS since I used BiteSMS on the iPhone and it doesn't support MMS. I tried Handcent and the UI is cartoonish and it doesn't display contact photos correctly. The HTC messages app allows me to send a group MMS, but then I get individual replies back and it doesn't maintain the group.
Using at&ts message app and it does group txt, but you can't start one. It has to be sent to you first and from there it'll always reply to group
Sent from my HTC One X using XDA
gnabgibeht said:
Using at&ts message app and it does group txt, but you can't start one. It has to be sent to you first and from there it'll always reply to group
Sent from my HTC One X using XDA
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The att messages app also butchers picture quality through mms. Send yourself one and see.
mochzr said:
Interestingly, if I attach an image (thus forcing it to convert to MMS), it will reply-all correctly.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
this. it's gotta be here. I hope the modders can figure a way of getting the phone to reply with an mms message, attachment free, when the message is sent within a group thread.
Bumping this thread.... anyway for a mod or an app that can force a text-only message to MMS when there are multiple recipients?? that's all I need :X
developer support requested
This would be PERFECT, especially if this pref could be added to stock SMS/MMS application. No need for Handcent or GoSMS, which are both ugly and unwieldy, IMHO.
mochzr said:
Bumping this thread.... anyway for a mod or an app that can force a text-only message to MMS when there are multiple recipients?? that's all I need :X
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
GO SMS group messages
GO SMS groups text messages like the iPhone does
Settings, Send settings, enable group MMS
dollypatel07 said:
GO SMS groups text messages like the iPhone does
Settings, Send settings, enable group MMS
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
GO SMS will slow down to a snail's pace if you have consecutive group texts coming in (which happens frequently as people are using it to converse).
It's slow, it's rather ugly, AND it gives you TWO notifications for every one group text. It's seriously terrible. WP7, WP8, BlackBerry, iPhone, all properly support Group MMS. Even some featurephones do it correctly as well.
I swear this has to be some kind of crazy oversight from Google or some kind of weird political war where no one will address such a simple issue. I mean if Verizon and AT&T can make an app that corrects this, then what gives??
Native SMS retarded -- google wake up!
mochzr said:
GO SMS will slow down to a snail's pace if you have consecutive group texts coming in (which happens frequently as people are using it to converse).
It's slow, it's rather ugly, AND it gives you TWO notifications for every one group text. It's seriously terrible. WP7, WP8, BlackBerry, iPhone, all properly support Group MMS. Even some featurephones do it correctly as well.
I swear this has to be some kind of crazy oversight from Google or some kind of weird political war where no one will address such a simple issue. I mean if Verizon and AT&T can make an app that corrects this, then what gives??
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
GO SMS is a NO GO as the OP has said. I agree Google is slacking here, or there has to be something else.
Is the raw code unavailable to developers to recompile and change the native text messaging application and it's MMS settings?
I was just wondering if we will be able to ever get true group messaging like the setting applies within the messaging app. One feature I liked in the iphone (I think iOS5) was when I have a group convo with someone all of the messages from the different people will appear in the same thread. In the Galaxy S 3 it sends it out as a group message but when I receieve the message it goes into its own separate thread and not just that I would only get the text from the person that started the group message. Is this a simple glitch or is the whole option just really misleading?
blackguy101 said:
I was just wondering if we will be able to ever get true group messaging like the setting applies within the messaging app. One feature I liked in the iphone (I think iOS5) was when I have a group convo with someone all of the messages from the different people will appear in the same thread. In the Galaxy S 3 it sends it out as a group message but when I receieve the message it goes into its own separate thread and not just that I would only get the text from the person that started the group message. Is this a simple glitch or is the whole option just really misleading?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Id also like to know if we will be able to do this. My droid razr did this and it was great since all my friends have iphones
Sent from my Verizon Galaxy S3
jkat797 said:
Id also like to know if we will be able to do this. My droid razr did this and it was great since all my friends have iphones
Sent from my Verizon Galaxy S3
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Exactly! which is why im just hoping an update comes soon! (even though Verizon sucks when it comes to that) or at least a modder finds a way to fix this problem if thats even possible that is
I use GoSMS, works great, not as clean interface as standard messaging app but having a MMS is more imporatnt to me.
VZ Messages
I use the VZ Messages app from the Play store (free). It works perfectly and has pop-ups. It seemed to work much better with group SMS than GoSMS did.
Definitely check out groupme. www.groupme.com and the app: https://play.google.com/store/apps/...251bGwsMSwxLDMsImNvbS5ncm91cG1lLmFuZHJvaWQiXQ..
It lets people with dumb phones get in on the action. Everybody texts once central number, and texts are redistributed from the same number to everybody else and includes the name of the sender (which you can assign...pretty fun)
Downside being that people have to accept the group and add this number to contacts as "Bros" or whatever you want it to be. Couldn't be more effective for my needs though.
chris98891 said:
Definitely check out groupme...
It lets people with dumb phones get in on the action. Everybody texts once central number, and texts are redistributed from the same number to everybody else and includes the name of the sender (which you can assign...pretty fun)
Downside being that people have to accept the group and add this number to contacts as "Bros" or whatever you want it to be. Couldn't be more effective for my needs though.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Does it work for MMS as well? I couldn't see where it said one way or another on their website.
devilchrist said:
I use GoSMS, works great, not as clean interface as standard messaging app but having a MMS is more imporatnt to me.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm in 2 group texts with 5 in each. I get on average of 60+ texts a day and the damn program LAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAGS. I would love an alternative.
chris98891 said:
Definitely check out groupme. www.groupme.com and the app: https://play.google.com/store/apps/...251bGwsMSwxLDMsImNvbS5ncm91cG1lLmFuZHJvaWQiXQ..
It lets people with dumb phones get in on the action. Everybody texts once central number, and texts are redistributed from the same number to everybody else and includes the name of the sender (which you can assign...pretty fun)
Downside being that people have to accept the group and add this number to contacts as "Bros" or whatever you want it to be. Couldn't be more effective for my needs though.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I don't like Groupme because it is a different phone number. I do however like the interface.
I use go sms but it doesn't group real well, I always assumed it was the way they responded. maybe I'll check out be messenger.
Sent from my SCH-I535 using xda app-developers app
I was invited into a group chat with 3 other Verizon users, we all have Android phones - but they all use the official (God awful) Verizon Message+ app and I'm using Pixel's default (Google) texting app, which I really like so far. Problem is... When I first was invited into the group text, it worked - kind of. I got text messages and stuff, but instead of replacing the phone numbers that prefixed the messages, it'd just show the phone numbers.
So I asked them what they used, and downloaded the Verizon texting app and switched to that - I could see avatars, the background picture, it read my contact info for each user correctly, etc.. But the app is terrible, I mean a truly god awful piece of garbage - you can't even save images to your phone, just to "Verizon".
Anyways, rant aside - I switched back to Google's texting app and now I'm not getting any messages in the group text - and I asked in person, they're still sending messages, they're just not coming through for me.
So my main question is: How do I fix not receiving group texts anymore? I tried deleting cache + data for the google texting app like I saw being recommended, but that didn't fix it. I really don't want to switch back to the Verizon message+ app if I can help it because it really is terrible.
Any help would be appreciated. I'd even accept another texting app suggestion if it has feature parity with the google app, I just want to do everything I can to avoid Verizon's app.
Jogee said:
I was invited into a group chat with 3 other Verizon users, we all have Android phones - but they all use the official (God awful) Verizon Message+ app and I'm using Pixel's default (Google) texting app, which I really like so far. Problem is... When I first was invited into the group text, it worked - kind of. I got text messages and stuff, but instead of replacing the phone numbers that prefixed the messages, it'd just show the phone numbers.
So I asked them what they used, and downloaded the Verizon texting app and switched to that - I could see avatars, the background picture, it read my contact info for each user correctly, etc.. But the app is terrible, I mean a truly god awful piece of garbage - you can't even save images to your phone, just to "Verizon".
Anyways, rant aside - I switched back to Google's texting app and now I'm not getting any messages in the group text - and I asked in person, they're still sending messages, they're just not coming through for me.
So my main question is: How do I fix not receiving group texts anymore? I tried deleting cache + data for the google texting app like I saw being recommended, but that didn't fix it. I really don't want to switch back to the Verizon message+ app if I can help it because it really is terrible.
Any help would be appreciated. I'd even accept another texting app suggestion if it has feature parity with the google app, I just want to do everything I can to avoid Verizon's app.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Does your device have a "dual messenger" option anywhere in your system settings?
Sent from my SM-S767VL using Tapatalk
No promises, but you might try Textra. I think the problem come from Verizon's app can send over Wi-Fi (desktop apps) and is not really sms compliant.
Thank you both, but sadly no option for dual messaging and I've used Textra and wasn't a huge fan. As awful as the Verizon app is, I may just have to keep using it ?