How to Change the LG G7 Text Message App

In this guide we’ll quickly show you how to change the LG G7 text message app. While some owners will enjoy the Google Messages app, many will benefit from downloading a better text alternative from the Google Play Store. Here’s how to change the text app, then add some customization.

All you need to do is download a new text message application from the Play Store and set it as your default text program. That last step is important, and what we’ll explain. Then, the LG G7 will only use your new app to send texts.

Read: 5 Best Text Message Apps for Android

You can find some of the best Android text message apps from our link above. Choose one or two and download them, then read on for the quick and simple instructions.

This year LG ditched its own texting app and went with Google Messages. And while it’s nice, and can even send messages to/from a computer, it’s not very customizable and has a slew of problems. If you download and use a new text app you’ll find most have tons of options, lots of neat controls, and plenty of customization.

How to Change the LG G7 Text Message App

First, navigate to the Google Play Store and download one of the many third-party text apps. Textra is what I and millions of others use, Chomp is a fan-favorite, and GoSMS is pretty decent too. Some of these will walk you through our steps below, but if not, here’s how to set it up and get going.

Instructions

• Download a new Text Messaging App
• Go to Settings by hitting the gear-shaped button in the notification bar
• Select Apps & Notifications
• Click on Default Apps
• Now, choose Message app and select which app you’d like to use

It’s that simple. Once you download a new app, you simply tell the phone software which app to use. Every message you send or receive will use the app you just set as your default messenger client. That way you don’t have to deal with the Android Messages app. And no, you won’t get notifications from each app. That’s exactly what this last setting avoids.

More Info

Once you set your new app for text messaging, open it up, and it should instantly transfer or access all of your texts. It may take a moment to transfer but you won’t lose any conversations.

Older Android devices received double notifications if you downloaded a second text message app. That isn’t the case anymore. Android won’t let two be set as “default” at the same time. Additionally, many apps like Textra will have a big Set As Default button at the bottom when you first open it. Making this process even easier. That way you don’t even have to follow the steps above. 

Read: How to Reboot a Frozen LG G7

From here on out this is the only text app that will be able to send, receive or alert you to text messages. If you chose Textra (or many others) you can heavily customize the experience too.

Go in and change the font, style, colors, bubble colors, and even the notification icon. You can change these for each contact too, and make your phone and notifications as unique as you’d like. It’s a level of customization that most built-in messaging apps don’t offer. Which is why so many people download and use Textra.

Before you go keep your LG G7 safe with these 15 best cases and the best screen protectors.