Skip to main content
Tech Radar TechRadar the technology experts
Sign in
  • View Profile
  • Sign out
RSS
Asia
flag of Singapore
Singapore
Europe
flag of Danmark
Danmark
flag of Suomi
Suomi
flag of Norge
Norge
flag of Sverige
Sverige
flag of UK
UK
flag of Italia
Italia
flag of Nederland
Nederland
flag of België (Nederlands)
België (Nederlands)
flag of France
France
flag of Deutschland
Deutschland
flag of España
España
North America
flag of US (English)
US (English)
flag of Canada
Canada
flag of México
México
Australasia
flag of Australia
Australia
flag of New Zealand
New Zealand
  • Phones
  • Computing
  • TVs
  • AI
  • Streaming
  • Health
  • Audio
  • VPN
  • More
    • Cameras
    • Home
    • News
    • Reviews
    • Opinion
    • How to
    • Versus
    • Deals
    • Coupons
    • Best
Tech Radar Pro
Tech Radar Gaming
Trending
  • Amazon Prime Day
  • Back to school
  • Nintendo Switch 2
  • Best VPN
  • ChatGPT
  • NYT Wordle today
  • Best laptop
  • Best web hosting
Recommended reading
A screenshot of a group chat details page in Google Messages
Software Google Messages is finally getting a group chat upgrade it should have had years ago
Two Android phones on a green and blue background showing Google Messages
Software Google Messages is getting another wave of updates – here are 8 you can expect to see soon
The bottom left corner of an Android phone, showing the Phone, Messages, Google icons and Google Search bar
Android Google Messages is preparing a new trick to get your friends and family to switch to RCS
Add account to Android
Android How to add another account on Android
A phone displaying the Google Messages logo
Software Google Messages is finally rolling out its snooze function for chats – here’s how it works
Google Messages reaction effects
Software Google Messages is officially rolling out its long-awaited ‘Delete for everyone’ option, but it comes with a slight catch
A phone displaying the Google Messages logo
Software Google Messages is testing some useful upgrades – here are 5 features that could be coming
  1. Computing
  2. Internet
  3. Websites & Apps

How to make Google Hangouts your default text message app

How-to
By John McCann published 18 June 2015

Time to combine messaging apps

When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here’s how it works.

Make Google Hangouts your text message app

Make Google Hangouts your text message app

Once upon a time the humble text message app was the life and soul of your phone - then Facebook, Twitter and Whatsapp rocked up to spoil the party and it's left the poor SMS client looking and feeling a little out of place.

But fear not! For you, proud Android owner, can upgrade your text message experience with the help of Google's Hangouts app.

Hangouts replaced the search giant's Chat service, and as well as acting as a rival to Whatsapp and Skype (it does voice and video calls), it can also be your default text application.

Even better, it's really easy to set up.

Page 1 of 6
Page 1 of 6
Step 1 - Get the app

Step 1 - Get the app

Pretty much every Android smartphone these days comes with Google's suite of applications pre-installed, which means it's highly likely you'll already have the Hangouts app on your handset.

Sometimes a folder of all Google's applications is located on your home screen when you first switch your phone on, so it should be easy to find.

If for some reason the Hangouts app isn't on your device head over to Google Play, tap "Hangouts" into the search bar, and download it for free.

Page 2 of 6
Page 2 of 6
Step 2 - Set up

Step 2 - Set up

There are a couple of ways to set up Hangouts as your main messaging app, depending on whether or not you've used the application before.

First timers

The first time you open up Hangouts you'll be asked to sign in with your Google account (which should already be set up on your Android phone).

There will be a prompt to set Hangouts as your default SMS client too. Follow the on-screen instructions to set it up. If you accidentally skip this, follow the instructions below.

Current users

If you've already been using the Hangouts app to chat to your Google contacts it takes just a few taps to feed your text messages into it.

Hit menu (top left) > Settings > SMS and you'll see "SMS disabled" - tap this, then "ok" and "yes" in the resulting pop ups and you're good to go.

Page 3 of 6
Page 3 of 6
Step 3 - Message transfer

Step 3 - Message transfer

Good news here folks, as soon as you switch to using Hangouts as your main text message supplier all your current SMS conversations stored on your Android phone will be automatically imported into the app.

You won't miss any vital information, allowing you to continue your conversation flows without issue.

Page 4 of 6
Page 4 of 6
Step 4 - Settling in

Step 4 - Settling in

Congratulations, Hangouts is now your one-stop-shop for all your SMS conversations, and while it's pretty similar in operation to your messaging app we'll run you through the basics.

Writing a new text is easy: just tap the plus icon in the top right, choose the contact(s) you want to send a message to and then peck in your message.

You do need to make sure you select your contact's mobile number to send them a SMS, as you may find yourself in a Hangouts chat rather than a text message.

It's easy to tell what type of message you're about to send as you'll see either a SMS icon or Hangouts logo next to the text entry field.

Your inbox will be a mix of SMS messages and Hangout conversations, so just make sure you're in the correct message stream before replying.

Page 5 of 6
Page 5 of 6
Step 5 - Abort!

Step 5 - Abort!

Had a sudden change of heart? Then don't fear, as it's just as easy to disable Hangouts as your default SMS provider.

Hit menu (top left) > Settings > SMS and you'll see "SMS enabled" - tap this and then select your desired text client and you'll be transported back to the good old days. Phew.

Page 6 of 6
Page 6 of 6
TOPICS
Google
John McCann
John McCann
Social Links Navigation
Former Global Managing Editor

TechRadar's former Global Managing Editor, John has been a technology journalist for more than a decade, and over the years has built up a vast knowledge of the tech industry. He’s interviewed CEOs from some of the world’s biggest tech firms, visited their HQs, and appeared on live TV and radio, including Sky News, BBC News, BBC World News, Al Jazeera, LBC, and BBC Radio 4.

See more Computing How Tos
Read more
A screenshot of a group chat details page in Google Messages
Google Messages is finally getting a group chat upgrade it should have had years ago
Two Android phones on a green and blue background showing Google Messages
Google Messages is getting another wave of updates – here are 8 you can expect to see soon
The bottom left corner of an Android phone, showing the Phone, Messages, Google icons and Google Search bar
Google Messages is preparing a new trick to get your friends and family to switch to RCS
Add account to Android
How to add another account on Android
A phone displaying the Google Messages logo
Google Messages is finally rolling out its snooze function for chats – here’s how it works
Google Messages reaction effects
Google Messages is officially rolling out its long-awaited ‘Delete for everyone’ option, but it comes with a slight catch
Latest in Websites & Apps
NYT Strands homescreen on a mobile phone screen, on a light blue background
NYT Strands hints and answers for Monday, July 7 (game #491)
NYT Strands homescreen on a mobile phone screen, on a light blue background
NYT Strands hints and answers for Tuesday, July 8 (game #492)
Quordle on a smartphone held in a hand
Quordle hints and answers for Tuesday, July 8 (game #1261)
Quordle on a smartphone held in a hand
Quordle hints and answers for Monday, July 7 (game #1260)
Quordle on a smartphone held in a hand
Quordle hints and answers for Sunday, July 6 (game #1259)
NYT Strands homescreen on a mobile phone screen, on a light blue background
NYT Strands hints and answers for Sunday, July 6 (game #490)
Latest in How Tos
Jonas Vingegaard and Tadej Pogacar sprint to the finish line at Stage 12 of the 2024 Tour de France.
How to watch Tour de France 2025 Stage 4 for FREE
Henry Lloyd-Hughes as DS Nathan Rose in Ragdoll
How to watch Ragdoll on BBC iPlayer (it's free)
Finn Russell of British & Irish Lions makes a break in the lead up to his side's third try, scored by Elliot Daly, left, during the tour match between Western Force and the British & Irish Lions at Optus Stadium in Perth, Australia.
Waratahs vs Lions FREE streams: How to watch British & Irish Lions tour live online from anywhere
England players singing national anthem
Argentina vs England FREE streams: How to watch 1st Test 2025 rugby live online from anywhere
Novak Djokovic plays a forehand at Wimbledon 2025
How to watch Evans vs Djokovic online: live stream Wimbledon 2025 tennis FREE
Lewis Hamilton and George Russell go head-to-head at the Austrian GP.
How to watch British Grand Prix F1 on Channel 4 today (it's free)
LATEST ARTICLES
  1. 1
    The 20 best Prime Day deals under $50 that are actually worth buying - trust me, I'm a shopping expert
  2. 2
    Pokémon Presents returns later this month, hopefully with a new look at Pokémon Legends Z-A ahead of its release date
  3. 3
    Your employee logins are more valuable to criminals than ever - here's how to keep them protected
  4. 4
    ‘This is not a traditional nature documentary’: Apple TV+ reveals the groundbreaking tech behind its new nature series
  5. 5
    I've been scouting for Amazon Prime Day printer deals and this instantly caught my attention- HP Envy printer is on sale for only $100, and even includes a 3 month instant ink trial

TechRadar is part of Future US Inc, an international media group and leading digital publisher. Visit our corporate site.

  • About Us
  • Contact Future's experts
  • Contact Us
  • Terms and conditions
  • Privacy policy
  • Cookies policy
  • Advertise with us
  • Web notifications
  • Accessibility Statement
  • Careers

© Future US, Inc. Full 7th Floor, 130 West 42nd Street, New York, NY 10036.

Please login or signup to comment

Please wait...