Google hangouts as main messaging app

[Nathaniel Vazquez]

I've been running back and forth between android and iOS for the last ~5 years now (currently using a Galaxy S6). I love everything about android but the one thing that I miss about the dark side was having the convince of iMessage. Being able to send messages to anyone using the same platform without having a cell connection was simply amazing. With that said, I wish that Apple wouldn't have contained the app to their devices - despite rumors of it coming to android. Which brings me to Google Hangouts. I love the app and the way that it is integrated into the android Platform. The only lacking feature for me is not being able to set it as a default messaging app that could use not just the app the way it was developed, but also accept sms messages from cell phones using text much like Facebook did with their messaging platform. IMO, the default app that comes with android is clunky and basic at best. I believe that it would be a smart option for Google to just make Hangouts into their "iMessage" platform, allowing people on any device -be it windows, Mac OS, Android, or even iOS- to communicate around the world. It has the possibility to take on the giant that is apple and be used across multiple devices because of standard text along with the app's native google accout messaging, much like iMessage allows for iPhone-iPhone messaging (or any of their mobile devices) without requiring that you be connected via cell data. It just makes sense to me. 

[Volbet]

Can't you set Hangouts as your standard texting app?

Atleast I can set Hangouts as my standard app in Hangouts' settings.

I recive both SMS and Hangout messages through the app.

[BLoCkZ420]

1 minute ago, Volbet said:

Can't you set Hangouts as your standard texting app?

Atleast I can set Hangouts as my standard app in Hangouts' settings.

I recive both SMS and Hangout messages through the app.

/thread

[MoonlightSylv]

You can set it as your messaging app.

[ThinkWithPortals]

36 minutes ago, Nathaniel Vazquez said:

 

If you haven't already: Settings>Apps>App Settings>Default Apps>Set Hangouts as default SMS app.