Android 5.0 Lollipop has been available in the market for the last few months and many devices are being updated to the Material Design by Google. Android 5.0 Lollipop comes with a newly designed Messenger app with Material Design which is very much similar to the flat and bold interface but, it is missing some major features.
Messenger app of Lollipop is available for download on any Android devices running Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich and above but, for those of you looking for more features would be left behind.
But, don’t worry as we have compiled the list of 3 best Android Messaging apps which would let you send SMS/MMS in Lollipop inspired Material Design.
#3 – Messenger
This app is the same version of Messenger app which can be found in Lollipop but, it is missing some of the features. It is available officially from Google and is being continuously updated with new features.
Messenger has the following features:
- Android 5.0 Lollipop inspired interface
- Bold colors with flat user interface
- Ability to select custom colors for each conversation
- Lollipop inspired menu button on top
- Floating New button to create a new message
- Ability to turn off notifications for individual conversation
- Ability to select from frequent or all contacts while selecting new message recipient
- Swipe left or right a conversation in list to archive it
This awesome yet official Messenger app by Google has almost all the features of a good SMS app but, it is missing the most-used pop-up quick reply option.
#2 – QKSMS
This yet another great SMS app is another Lollipop’s Material Design inspired Messaging app with a sliding interface. It does support quick pop-up reply but, it is still in development phases.
QKSMS has the following features:
- Lollipop’s Material Design inspired interface
- Select custom color for the app
- Floating new button to create new message
- Ability to turn off notifications for individual conversation
- Use dark mode to use in dark with low colors and black background
- Ability to tint the status and navigation bar on devices running Android 4.4 Kitkat and above
- Customize the text styles including size, weight and font.
- Sliding panel to switch from list to conversation view
- Quick pop-up reply option to reply from notification bar or on top of another app
QKSMS is still being improved by its developer where the bugs are being squashed and new features are being added in it regularly.
#1 – Textra SMS
This amazing SMS app for Android devices is the perfect combination of interface and features where it also uses the Lollipop’s Material Design along with tons of customizable options.
Textra SMS has the following features:
- Lollipop inspired Material Design
- Customizable conversation colors with ability to select send and receive message bubble color
- Floating new message button
- Select from groups, contacts or favorites to select as recipients
- Select custom color for each conversation
- Swipe the conversation right in the list to get delete option
- Ability to turn off notifications for individual conversation
- Add a contact in blacklist
- Ability to select multiple messages in a conversation by using mark option
- Lock individual messages in conversations
- + sign to select from emoji, file transfer or voice recording
- Ability to send a contact details via vcard or as text message.
- Select text font, size and color
- Dark mode to use in dark conditions with pure black or grey options are available
- Select from Android or iOS styled emojis
- Select the quick pop-up reply option and what to open, on its tap from notifications bar.
- Select custom time for notification popup
- Ability to add signatures to your sent messages
This best SMS app is the default messaging app on all my Android devices whether its running Android 5.0 Lollipop, Android 4.4 Kitkat or Android 4.3 Jelly Bean.
So, which SMS app are you using to send your messages?
How does Material Messaging rank? https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.project.materialmessaging