If you’ve just updated to Android Kitkat 4.4 or your device came with KitKat pre-installed then you must have noticed that Google Hangouts is now the default SMS app. Doesn’t sound like a problem but many users are complaining that Hangouts is not really living upto their expectation and would rather have the old android messenger back. However, Android KitKat makes it really easy to set any SMS app as default. Here is how you can change the default SMS app in Android KitKat:
- Open “Settings”
- From settings screen, open “Wireless and Networks”
- Find and tap on “Default SMS App” option (By default you will see Hangouts)
- Now you will get a list of SMS App
- Select “Messaging” to set the old android messenger or select any other SMS app you’ve installed
Hangouts is receiving a lot of complains about bugs that are freezing or force closing the app. The interface and features are really good in Hangouts but it would’ve been great if it was more stable. We should see improvements in Google Hangouts in the future updates. Until then, I’m sticking to my old Android Messenger
