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Group SMS / Group Text Messaging

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
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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?

Group MMS Fix?

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.
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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.
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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?
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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.
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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
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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.
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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
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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?

[Q] Other SMS apps?

When ever I seem to search good SMS apps on Google, I'm just getting stuff like WhatsApp, which isn't SMS.
I don't like hangouts being part of SMS.

I like Textra myself.

Handcent sms.
I don't use it myself.

Have a look here:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2512414

^This
Sent from my Nexus 5 using Tapatalk

craiigman said:
When ever I seem to search good SMS apps on Google, I'm just getting stuff like WhatsApp, which isn't SMS.
I don't like hangouts being part of SMS.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You could try Facebook Messenger.
Go to settings in the app --> click SMS/MMS --> Activate to receive and send SMS
Maybe you like it, maybe you don't. I do like it a lot and I think it' worth trying out!
You can find the app in Google Play.

Android 4.1 JB Messaging SMS looks just like SMS did on the N4, down side is that MMS doesn't work in the app.
One of my favourite updates in KitKat is personally the hangouts texting integration. Much nicer interface.

Default messaging app alternative

I found a great app called evolve sms. It has a ton of customization options. Very fluent on my m8. No lag. It's much better than the default messaging app. You should check it out! https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.klinker.android.evolve_sms
HTC ONE M8?

Default messaging app is just perfect.

jags_the1 said:
Default messaging app is just perfect.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
To each it's own to me this is better.
HTC ONE M8?

textra
i've tried this and pretty much every other. I could never switch to anything else than textra. Give textra a try, everyone i've shown loves it. very simplistic and works perfectly.
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.textra&hl=en
completely free too

Wasuhz said:
i've tried this and pretty much every other. I could never switch to anything else than textra. Give textra a try, everyone i've shown loves it. very simplistic and works perfectly.
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.textra&hl=en
completely free too
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
+1. However, this is all subjective. Kinda funny seeing yet ANOTHER thread about this.

I like hello SMS. Aesthetically very pleasing.

The only thing default is missing for me is a Quick Reply or popup. Tried Hello Sms, but I don't like hoe the popup disappears after 3 seconds. Evolve is beautiful, But I found it VERY laggy even after archiving. Textra is very functional, but aesthetically boring as hell. wish their was a facebook chat type sms messaging app with the same functionality. Thoughts?

thefoss said:
The only thing default is missing for me is a Quick Reply or popup. Tried Hello Sms, but I don't like hoe the popup disappears after 3 seconds. Evolve is beautiful, But I found it VERY laggy even after archiving. Textra is very functional, but aesthetically boring as hell. wish their was a facebook chat type sms messaging app with the same functionality. Thoughts?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You can try Hoverchat, I used it for a little while but prefer Hello SMS.

Spiral79 said:
You can try Hoverchat, I used it for a little while but prefer Hello SMS.
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Click to collapse
I found Hoverchat,... Weird. The pop up window is asymmetrical and ugly.

thefoss said:
The only thing default is missing for me is a Quick Reply or popup. Tried Hello Sms, but I don't like hoe the popup disappears after 3 seconds. Evolve is beautiful, But I found it VERY laggy even after archiving. Textra is very functional, but aesthetically boring as hell. wish their was a facebook chat type sms messaging app with the same functionality. Thoughts?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I think it all depends on your taste. I like evolve because you can set it to no limit on mms and there's a bunch of themes for it. Funny I haven't experienced any lag on it. Hello sms is a good one as well.
HTC ONE M8?

The main thing missing from the stock messaging, as well as several of those mentioned is the ability to intercept and move messages to a private area. I have people I message that I don't want displayed in a general inbox. GoSMS Pro is what I've used though due to the ads recently, I'm reluctant to give my absolute backing.
Yes I'm aware that I can move messages after the fact but I wan't it done for me before people go creeping through them.

L3TH4L said:
The main thing missing from the stock messaging, as well as several of those mentioned is the ability to intercept and move messages to a private area. I have people I message that I don't want displayed in a general inbox. GoSMS Pro is what I've used though due to the ads recently, I'm reluctant to give my absolute backing.
Yes I'm aware that I can move messages after the fact but I wan't it done for me before people go creeping through them.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
afaik handcent does it, I remember using it to auto hide priv messages, not sure if it still does it though

L3TH4L said:
The main thing missing from the stock messaging, as well as several of those mentioned is the ability to intercept and move messages to a private area. I have people I message that I don't want displayed in a general inbox. GoSMS Pro is what I've used though due to the ads recently, I'm reluctant to give my absolute backing.
Yes I'm aware that I can move messages after the fact but I wan't it done for me before people go creeping through them.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
On stock messaging app I can move messages to a "secure" folder which is password protected and not shown on the general overview.

L3TH4L said:
The main thing missing from the stock messaging, as well as several of those mentioned is the ability to intercept and move messages to a private area. I have people I message that I don't want displayed in a general inbox. GoSMS Pro is what I've used though due to the ads recently, I'm reluctant to give my absolute backing.
Yes I'm aware that I can move messages after the fact but I wan't it done for me before people go creeping through them.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I haven't needed to use this in awhile, but private message box works with the stock messaging app and keeps messages private. You have to go to the dialer to even access the messages. It's really very secure.
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.privatesmsbox
Sent from my HTC One_M8 using Tapatalk

Hoverchat
Sent from my HTC One_M8 using XDA Premium HD app

i use gosms.. been using it since gingerbread.

EvolveSms has been wonderful for me
Sent from my HTCM8

I use chompsms, I find it minimal looking packed with great features
Sent from my One M8 using Tapatalk

L3TH4L said:
The main thing missing from the stock messaging, as well as several of those mentioned is the ability to intercept and move messages to a private area. I have people I message that I don't want displayed in a general inbox. GoSMS Pro is what I've used though due to the ads recently, I'm reluctant to give my absolute backing.
Yes I'm aware that I can move messages after the fact but I wan't it done for me before people go creeping through them.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Dude, check out Vegas sms and thank me later.
Sent from my HTC One_M8 using Tapatalk

I always use Textra but [email protected] I am loving this EvolveSMS app already. It's beautiful and very snappy (I feel like this is a word I haven't heard since the beginning of the Android platform back when Noah was the man on PhoneDog.com lol).

Stock SMS app vs. 3rd party ones on Nougat, pros and cons?

I did the Nougat update, and was wondering the pros or cons of using a third party SMS app. I've used Handcent for very long, and more recently Textra, but I see the stock app is rather good and has many options.
Just looking for feedback, thanks in advance.

I use google messenger. Fast, simple. Can change chat colors.

I'm a big fan of Google Messenger and Yaata. I've always disliked Textra, and I can't stand that the stock client doesn't open links in a browser, but in a preview window.

entropism said:
I'm a big fan of Google Messenger and Yaata. I've always disliked Textra, and I can't stand that the stock client doesn't open links in a browser, but in a preview window.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Reading about both, and Google Messenger seems like a good option.

I use Android Messages. Google just changed the name of their messenger app. But I love it because it's fast easy to use and handles everything I need.

Anth0ny229 said:
I use Android Messages. Google just changed the name of their messenger app. But I love it because it's fast easy to use and handles everything I need.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Just out of curiosity, does any 3rd party messaging app support texting over WiFi? I know the stock Samsung one does, but would something like Android Messenger or Textra work using T-Mobile? I never knew if this was an app-specific feature or if it was related to the network.

mpeclipse03 said:
Just out of curiosity, does any 3rd party messaging app support texting over WiFi? I know the stock Samsung one does, but would something like Android Messenger or Textra work using T-Mobile? I never knew if this was an app-specific feature or if it was related to the network.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Some do, but as far as I know it's carrier dependent.
As to my original post, I still haven't decided on an app. Textra was real good on my old phone, so it's either it or Google Messages.

No one mentioned it but I've used Chomp for years. Texting over wifi works 90% of the time. Not sure why it doesn't work all the time but my wife uses the stock app while I use Chomp. Neither of us have any complaints.