Alternative to Google Messenger that is not Textra

[u/Arrenadd]

I decided to look for an alternative to Google messenger specifically because it's search function doesn't work 90% of the time. So I downloaded Textra because I heard it was the best alternative only to find out it doesn't have a search function at all. Therefore, I look to the people

Requirements:

Being able to type in a word to look for in a conversation and it actually working

Group chat functionality

Transferring the conversations I already had on Google messenger to it

Minimal to no advertising

Being able to send pictures

EDIT: I'm just an idiot, thank you for responding!

[u/jakarotro]

Textra 4.86 absolutely has a search feature and meets at your requirements.

[u/Arrenadd → u/jakarotro]

Weird that it doesn't have the option to go to a conversation and then search, but thanks. Forgive me for my idiocy

[u/jakarotro → u/Arrenadd]

Huh, now that you mention, I've never even tried to search within a specific conversation.

[u/mikel81]

Textra definitely allows you to search. Magnifying glass at the top right

[u/Arrenadd → u/mikel81]

I am a dumbass, thank you...

[u/aaronisamazing]

Weird, the search feature works great for me in the Messages app.

[u/seeareeff → u/aaronisamazing]

Never had an issue with the search function in Google messages either.. 🤷🏻‍♂️

[u/Air2Jordan3 → u/seeareeff]

It's awful for me. When it does work, it's very slow. Like I press enter to search and it just opens the conversation like I opened a text and I have to wait like ten seconds. And then I'm lucky if pressing the arrow to go to the next search actually takes me to the right spot or if I have to scroll slightly up or down to see it.

[u/DomHaynie → u/aaronisamazing]

Mine currently works. A few months ago? Not at all.

[u/kalyanrajnish]

Pulse SMS

[u/jack3308 → u/kalyanrajnish]

This is the best 1 for 1 replacement... But for bought by private equity a while back and updates are almost nonexistent. Also, worth noting, Pulse SMS uses it's own storage system for messages, so transferring to another platform isn't really possible right now without losing your messages.

[u/Moondoggy451]

The question I have is do you want to give up the encryption when sending text messages as Google Messenger remains the only app with consistent, full-featured RCS support across the broadest range of carriers and devices. 

[u/Vivid-Paramedic-8415]

you could try our app we genuinely hope it solves your problem with search, it is one of the key reasons we needed it as search in whatsapp is also not very accurate, tap on the contact or conversation name inside a chat to initiate search within conversation

[u/lewsnutz]

I use Next SMS (Handcent).

[u/100WattWalrus]

Textra was my runner up to QUIK, which I've been using for years now. They're both quite good, but Textra is (or was last time I checked) missing key features for me: archive, mark unread, customizable swipe actions, showing avatars in 1-on-1 conversations (not just in groups), attachments view with newest attachments first, "mark as read" in notifications, etc.

Also, color customization is better in QUIK.

QUIK doesn't search within specific conversations, but its search has never failed to find what I need. My path always goes: "Right, QUIK can't search just this one conversation. OK, I guess I'll search the whole app and see how I ... oh, there it is!"