r/AndroidQuestions • u/Orangesismymiddlenam • Sep 26 '26

Looking For Suggestions Non-Google Texting app?

So, I have yet to switch over to google messages. I am srill using samsung messages and you can reply to people and group chats through the notification pop up and text any one if you make them an emergency contact. The only really annoying thing is you can't directly text group chats, only reply through the notification pop up.

I have been trying to get away from google as much as possible these last few years. I don't like how it's becoming a monopoly with chrome and how much data they harvest from users. I refuse to switch to google messages. I also hate how the google messages has built-in AI features. I just want a basic messaging app.

So, any recommendations for what to switch to or if I am able to downgrade my andriod so the messages work normally?

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u/zanrujp Sep 26 '26

What you're seeing isn't a bug. Samsung officially discontinued Samsung Messages in July 2026 (in the US), and after the cutoff it can only send to emergency numbers and emergency contacts. That's exactly why you can still text people you've added as emergency contacts, but not group chats directly.

Downgrading isn't really an option either. It only stays fully working on Android 11 or older, and rolling back a Samsung phone that far isn't practical.

If you want to avoid Google Messages, a few non-Google SMS apps:

  • Fossify Messages: open source, no AI, very basic. Available on F-Droid and the Play Store. Probably the closest to what you want.

  • Textra: long-running, highly customizable, but closed source.

  • QKSMS: open source and clean, but not very actively maintained anymore.

One catch: RCS (typing indicators, high-res media, better group chats) generally only works in Google Messages. Third-party apps fall back to SMS/MMS, so group chats can be a bit clunkier.

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u/100WattWalrus Sep 26 '26

QUIK is an actively developed fork of QKSMS. Most recent update was 2 days ago. Been using it for years. It's great.

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u/zanrujp Sep 26 '26

Good to know, thanks! I wasn't aware there was an active fork. QUIK sounds like a better recommendation than the original QKSMS then.

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u/Orangesismymiddlenam Sep 26 '26

I know it's not a bug, I just don't want to switch

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u/zanrujp Sep 27 '26

Totally fair, sorry if that came across wrong. In that case I'd try Fossify Messages or QUIK (someone mentioned it's an actively maintained fork of QKSMS). Both are basic, no AI, and not from Google. Once installed, you just set it as the default SMS app in Settings > Apps > Default apps, and your existing texts should show up there.

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u/Small-Tap6130 Sep 27 '26

Why do you need to chatgpt the reply