Important Update (July 2025): Before we dive into the steps, it's crucial to understand a significant change: Verizon Messages (also known as Message+) has been discontinued by Verizon. As of December 2024, Verizon has officially shut down the Message+ app. This means you can no longer set it as your default messaging app, and you won't be able to send or receive messages through it. Verizon is now recommending users switch to Google Messages for Android devices, which offers similar features, including RCS (Rich Communication Services) for enhanced messaging.
This guide will now pivot to show you how to set Google Messages as your default messaging app on Android, as this is the current and recommended solution from Verizon. While the original request was about Verizon Messages, the underlying goal is to have a robust and integrated messaging experience, which Google Messages now provides.
The End of an Era: Why Verizon Messages is No Longer Your Default Option
Remember those days of Verizon Messages (Message+), with its unique features like integrated messaging across devices, advanced group chats, and even Glympse location sharing? Well, those days are now behind us. Verizon has made a strategic shift, embracing the industry-standard RCS messaging protocol, which is largely powered by Google Messages on Android devices. This move aims to provide a more unified and feature-rich messaging experience across different carriers and devices.
So, if you're looking to regain some of that rich messaging functionality you enjoyed with Verizon Messages, the answer lies in Google Messages. Let's get you set up!
How to Make Google Messages Your Default Messaging App on Android: A Step-by-Step Guide
Are you ready to streamline your messaging experience and embrace the future of Android communication? Let's get started!
Step 1: Confirm Google Messages is Installed (and if not, Get It!)
Before we do anything else, let's make sure you have the star of our show: Google Messages.
Do you already see a blue icon with a white chat bubble on your home screen or in your app drawer? That's likely Google Messages!
If you don't see it, no worries! It's quick and easy to get.
Open the Google Play Store. Look for the colorful triangular icon on your phone.
Search for "Google Messages". Type it into the search bar at the top.
Tap "Install". Once you find the official Google Messages app (usually by "Google LLC"), hit that install button. It should download and install in a jiffy.
Step 2: Initiating the Default App Change (The Easy Way)
Often, the simplest approach is the most effective. Google Messages is designed to prompt you to make it your default.
Open the Google Messages App. Tap on its icon from your home screen or app drawer.
Look for the Prompt. The first time you open it (or sometimes after an update), you'll likely see a clear message pop up, something like: "To use Messages, make it your default SMS app."
Tap "Set default SMS app" (or similar phrasing). This button is your direct ticket to making the change.
Select "Messages" (Google Messages). A list of available messaging apps will appear. Carefully select the one with the blue icon and white chat bubble.
Tap "Set as default". Confirm your choice, and just like that, Google Messages becomes your primary texting application!
What if you don't see this prompt? Don't fret! We have a manual method for you in the next step.
Step 3: Manually Setting Google Messages as Default (When the Prompt Disappears)
Sometimes the prompt doesn't appear, or you accidentally dismiss it. No problem! Android's settings menu allows you to manage default apps with ease.
Sub-Step 3.1: Navigating to App Settings
Open your phone's "Settings" app. This is usually a gear-shaped icon. You can find it in your app drawer or by swiping down from the top of your screen to access the quick settings panel and tapping the gear icon.
Scroll Down and Tap "Apps" (or "Apps & Notifications," "Applications"). The exact wording might vary slightly depending on your Android version and phone manufacturer (e.g., Samsung, OnePlus, Pixel, etc.).
Tap "Default apps" (or "Choose default apps," "Default applications"). This is a crucial section where you control which apps handle specific tasks.
Sub-Step 3.2: Selecting Your SMS App
Tap on "SMS app" (or "Messaging app," "Text app"). This option specifically deals with your default text messaging application.
Choose "Messages" (Google Messages). From the list of available apps, select Google Messages. Again, look for the distinctive blue icon with the white chat bubble.
Confirm your selection. Once you tap it, Google Messages should instantly become your default. There might not be a separate "Save" or "Apply" button, as the change often takes effect immediately.
Step 4: Verifying the Change and Enjoying Your New Messaging Hub
You've done the heavy lifting! Now, let's just confirm everything is in order.
Open Google Messages. If it opens without prompting you to become the default, you're off to a good start.
Send a Test Message. Try sending a message to a friend or even yourself.
Receive a Test Message. Ask someone to send you a message. Both sending and receiving should now happen seamlessly within Google Messages.
Check Your Message History. Google Messages should automatically import your existing SMS/MMS message history from your previous default app. This might take a few moments for very extensive histories.
If your older messages aren't showing up immediately, give it some time. Sometimes a phone restart can also help refresh the data. In rare cases, if you were heavily reliant on Verizon Message+ specific features (like cloud backup), some older history might not transfer perfectly, but standard SMS/MMS should come over.
Why Google Messages is Your New Best Friend (and Why Verizon Made the Switch)
While it might feel like a change, migrating from Verizon Messages to Google Messages is a positive step. Here's why:
RCS (Rich Communication Services) Messaging: This is the big one! RCS brings features to Android messaging that are similar to iMessage on iPhones. This includes:
Read receipts: Know when your messages have been seen.
Typing indicators: See when someone is typing a reply.
High-quality media sharing: Send photos and videos without them being compressed into grainy messes.
Larger file sharing: Send bigger files directly through your messages.
Improved group chats: More robust and interactive group messaging.
Cross-Carrier Compatibility: Since RCS is becoming the standard, you'll get these enhanced features when messaging anyone else using an RCS-enabled messaging app (like Google Messages) on any carrier, not just Verizon.
Consistent Updates: Google is constantly updating and improving Google Messages, bringing new features and security enhancements regularly.
Spam Protection: Google Messages includes excellent spam detection to help filter out unwanted messages.
Web Version (Messages for Web): Just like Verizon Messages, Google Messages offers a web interface, allowing you to text from your computer.
Troubleshooting Tips for Default Messaging App Issues
Even with a straightforward process, sometimes things don't go exactly as planned. Here are some common troubleshooting steps:
Restart Your Phone: A classic but often effective solution. A simple reboot can resolve many minor software glitches.
Clear Cache for Google Messages:
Go to Settings > Apps (or Apps & Notifications).
Find and tap on Messages (Google Messages).
Tap on Storage & cache.
Tap Clear cache. Avoid clearing data unless you're prepared to re-import your message history, which might be necessary as a last resort.
Check for App Updates: Ensure your Google Messages app is up to date.
Open the Google Play Store.
Tap on your profile icon (top right).
Tap "Manage apps & device".
Look for "Updates available" and see if Google Messages is listed. If so, update it.
Verify Permissions: Make sure Google Messages has all the necessary permissions.
Go to Settings > Apps (or Apps & Notifications).
Find and tap on Messages (Google Messages).
Tap on Permissions.
Ensure that permissions like SMS, Phone, and Contacts are allowed.
Disable Other Messaging Apps (Temporarily): If you have multiple messaging apps, sometimes they can conflict. Try temporarily disabling or force-stopping other SMS apps (like your phone's native Samsung Messages or similar) to see if that resolves the issue.
10 Related FAQ Questions
How to: Check if Google Messages is my default messaging app?
Quick Answer: Open Google Messages. If it opens directly to your conversations without asking you to set it as default, it likely is. You can also confirm in your phone's settings: Settings > Apps > Default apps > SMS app.
How to: Transfer my old messages to Google Messages?
Quick Answer: Google Messages typically imports your SMS/MMS history automatically when you set it as the default. If not, ensure you have sufficient storage and try restarting your phone.
How to: Turn on RCS (Chat Features) in Google Messages?
Quick Answer: Open Google Messages, tap your profile icon (top right), then tap "Messages settings" > "RCS chats." Ensure "Enable RCS chats" is toggled on. You'll need a data connection or Wi-Fi for it to activate.
How to: Send a group message in Google Messages?
Quick Answer: Tap "Start chat," then select multiple contacts. Alternatively, if you're in an existing conversation, tap the three dots (More options) and look for an "Add people" option.
How to: Block a number in Google Messages?
Quick Answer: Open the conversation with the contact you want to block, tap the three dots (More options) in the top right, then select "Block & report spam."
How to: Change notification settings for Google Messages?
Quick Answer: Open Google Messages, tap your profile icon, then "Messages settings" > "Notifications." Here you can customize sounds, vibrations, and other alerts for messages.
How to: Use Google Messages on my computer?
Quick Answer: Go to
How to: See typing indicators and read receipts in Google Messages?
Quick Answer: Ensure "RCS chats" are enabled for both you and the person you're messaging. If they are also using an RCS-enabled app, you will see "Typing..." when they are writing and "Read" or a checkmark when they've seen your message.
How to: Back up my messages in Google Messages?
Quick Answer: While Google Messages syncs some chat data, for a full backup, you'll typically use your phone's built-in backup features (e.g., Google Drive backup for Android phones under Settings > Google > Backup) which include SMS messages.
How to: Delete messages or conversations in Google Messages?
Quick Answer: To delete a single message, long-press on it and tap the trash can icon. To delete an entire conversation, long-press on the conversation in the main chat list, then tap the trash can icon or "Delete."