Are you a new Android user struggling to communicate with your friends and family through texting? Luckily, sending text messages from your device is pretty straightforward.
To text on an Android phone, launch the Messages app and tap “Start a chat”. Next, enter the name, number, or email of the recipient. Select the “Text Message” field, type in your message, and tap the arrow.
To make things easier for you, we have written a comprehensive step-by-step guide on how to text on an Android phone.
Texting on an Android Phone
If you’re struggling with how to text on an Android phone, our 5 step-by-step methods will help you through the process smoothly.
Method #1: Using the Messages App To Send Text Messages
To use the default messaging app to send text messages from an Android phone.
- Open Messages.
- Choose “Start a chat” or the text box icon.
- Tap the “To” box and enter the name of the person you want to text.
- If the person’s number is not saved in your contacts, manually type in their phone number.
- Tap the “Text Message” field and type in your message.
- Tap the arrow icon to send the message.
Method #2: Using the Messages App To Send Multimedia Messages
You can also send pictures and videos as multimedia messages to your friends from your Android with these steps.
- Enable MMS settings on your Android phone and open the Messages app.
- Tap “To” and enter the name or number of the person you want to text.
- Tap the camera icon and choose “Gallery”.
- Select the pictures or videos you want to send to attach to the message.
- Tap the arrow icon to deliver the message to your recipient.
Method #3: Using the Messages App To Send Group Messages
The Android Messaging app also allows you to create a group of people and send collective messages with the following steps.
- Open Messages.
- Choose “Start a chat” or the text box icon.
- Tap “Create a Group”.
- Add people from your contact list or enter their numbers.
- Tap the tick icon to create a group.
- Select the “Text Message” field.
Type in a message for everyone or tap “Gallery” to send a multimedia text to the group.
Method #4: Using Google Hangouts
The default Google Hangouts application on an Android allows you to send text messages using the Wi-Fi network or cellular data with these steps.
Step #1: Set Up Text Messages on Google Hangouts
In the first step, set up text messages on Google Hangouts. To do this, launch the app, tap “Menu” on the left side, and head to “Settings”. Select “SMS” and mark the box beside “Turn on SMS”.
Step #2: Compose and Send a Text Message on Hangouts
Tap the “+” icon on the bottom and choose “New SMS”. Now, type the name or number of the person you want to text and tap “Continue”. Select “Write a message”. You can also send a multimedia file by tapping the camera/photo icon at the bottom of the app screen.
Finally, tap the arrow icon to send your text message on Google Hangouts.
Method #5: Using Third-Party Apps
Nowadays, the most popular way of texting is using third-party apps like WhatsApp, Messenger, or Telegram. To use one for messaging on an Android phone, follow these steps.
- Launch Play Store and search for a third-party messaging app.
- Tap “Install” and set it up with the on-screen instructions.
- Select the pen or text box icon to begin.
- Enter the recipient’s name or number and type your message in the message field.
- Tap “Send” or the arrow icon to deliver your message.
You can send free multimedia files and text messages on third-party messaging apps!
Summary
In this guide, we’ve discussed how to text on an Android phone using the default Messaging app, Google Hangouts, and with third-party apps.
Hopefully, your question is answered, and you can now communicate with your friends and family via text messages.
Frequently Asked Questions
Unfortunately, Android hasn’t announced a specific app for messaging yet. However, the Google Hangouts app can be used like one as it allows users to communicate without their emails using their SMS feature.
There is a limit of 160 characters on text messages in the U.S. and Canada on Android smartphones.
