Group sms messaging - Galaxy S III Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting

I was just wondering if we will be able to ever get true group messaging like the setting applies within the messaging app. One feature I liked in the iphone (I think iOS5) was when I have a group convo with someone all of the messages from the different people will appear in the same thread. In the Galaxy S 3 it sends it out as a group message but when I receieve the message it goes into its own separate thread and not just that I would only get the text from the person that started the group message. Is this a simple glitch or is the whole option just really misleading?

I don't think it's a glitch, it's just not an android "feature" like it is on an iphone.

I guess is patented by Apple
Sent from my GT-I9300 using xda app-developers app

Sms doesn't carry any sort of group id to identify the conversation vs a regular message
Sent from my SGH-T999 using Tapatalk 2

On iOS the messages only stay together if those involved are using imessage (so anyone on iOS5 etc)
If you do a group message to say 3 people who don't have iphones, you will get separate replies like you do with android.

Esra said:
On iOS the messages only stay together if those involved are using imessage (so anyone on iOS5 etc)
If you do a group message to say 3 people who don't have iphones, you will get separate replies like you do with android.
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Click to collapse
Oddly enough; even Samsung's bada also had this feature. Don;t know why they didn't implement it in TW.

at a guess might be something to do with Google wanting Google+ to take off(circles).....in which case it has the same restrictions as Apple!

Related

[Q] Android Group MMS SMS Chat like iPhone iOS4

I have searched many forums and the market to no avail so I was hoping someone here could help.
Is there any way we, android users, can get a function similar to iOS4 users with their "group mms" option. To those of you not familiar, its basically a chat room like feature that uses your text messages. For example, if I were to create a new text on the iphone, I could add more people to it. Once it's sent out, if anyone replies, that reply will go to all of those in the group and so forth. In essence, a chat room is created where everyone receives a copy of everyone else's text.
At any rate, a few of my friends have iphones and I was hoping to be able to communicate with them in such a manner but neither the stock messaging application or handcent has this function. The few options that might work would involve having all of my friends download some new app along with myself and even that doesn't work all the time.
ANY help would be much appreciated.
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This post was originally in a phone specific forum but I feel that it needs more exposure since it is a pretty significant issue for android. http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=774990
Basically it comes down to not being able to be part of a group MMS if you are not the sender.
iOS attaches all users in a group message to the header of an MMS message, and when this message is received on an android device the receiver can only see the sender, not the other people in the conversation. So, when the android user tries to reply to this message it only gets sent to the originator of the group message instead of all of the users in the group.
Currently, there is an application that handles this functionality and it is the Verzion Messages application. However, this application is out-dated and is missing other messaging features.
AT&T also has an application that addresses this issue, however, not many people have had success with it. At least for me, using my Galaxy Nexus on AT&T (4.0.2), the application opens and only shows a blank screen.
Can we get a developer to modify a current texting application, or create a new one that handles group MMS that recognizes all users of the group and will send a reply to everyone, not just the originator?
NOTE: Some other 3rd party texting applications allow group texting, but will only work if you are the originator.
How many other people have run into this issue?
I have run into the exact same issue. I have spent hours researching various workarounds, but a lot of people, forum topics, and companies think this issue isn't an issue at all. Handcent, Chomp, and Go SMS all say they have "group" messaging, but what they describe is more like a batch send out, not a threaded sms like the iphone and even now Verizon phones through the Verizon Messages Application.
I know there is an open ticket with google that is mentioned in the forum you linked to. I'm a new user so I can't link to it, but it is mentioned and linked to in post #92 on that forum you linked.
Hopefully someone or one of the bigger companies will get a handle on this.
I also would like to see this addressed. With many friends/family with iPhones it is crippling my texting abilities when I get so many group sms chats. Basically from an OS perspective it is making users of Android phones appear inferior to iPhone users.
I was looking into this today after becoming annoyed that i couldn't join a group mms thread w/ some iOS friends. It seems Verizon's VZMessages app works with the threaded group mms's. I did some tests w/ both iphone and android friends and it seems to work the same as for iphones. Since it's a vzw app, i have no idea what usability is for other carriers, and i've had some issues on my rooted dinc (display artifacts). Also, the design is terrible and looks like their target user is about 5 years old w/ all the bright primary colors and bubbly icons.
try it out and let me know how it works for you guys.
since i'm a new user, i can't post the market link to it, but you can find it in the google play app market.
Not sure if you guys saw this yet, but in the development section trikotret updated the handcent app to handle the iphone like group texts. I just installed it to try it out. I can't post links yet either but it the thread title is "Handscent Android group chat like iPhone"
Here is the flow on how to get there:
Android Development and Hacking | Android Software Development |Handscent Android group chat like iPhone
same issue
we had a text clan, or a group of people in a texting community, kinda popular here in the philippines. i've been looking for an app like those but nothing suits what we need. i tried groupme, but it crashes and needed to be online, also a force close issue in handcent which claims to have this feature. we used to do a traditional GMs or Group Messages in a send to many or batch mode only to send all GMs (equivalent to tweets in online world) to all our members. but as an android user i want to take advantage of it. here's the thing to address:
1. an app for sms/mms like gosms or equivalent.
2. this app can have a unified inbox. something like ChatOn or Socialhub of samsung but still integrated offline sms/text to local contacts.
2. options to offline only or if online.
3. group local/offline chat (threaded style, not just a batch send
4. whenever someone replied that is included in the group, it is in the same thread. or for short, sms with 2 or more person in a single thread locally.
5. even non android or typical mobile phone can receive it as a text message. so even nokia 5110 user can reply, ofcourse he will only receive what is sent to him. not always the entire thread content.
got my point?
by the way, sorry for my english.
Verizon Messaging works for me
GoSMSpro has a setting for this. Under send settings enable MMS grop chat.
handcent works ok for this but i'm in disbelief that it hasn't been addressed by google yet. did apple patent this feature or something?
i encourage everyone to star the issue at google's android project page:
http://code.google.com/p/android/is...rs&colspec=ID Type Status Owner Summary Stars
1Speed said:
This post was originally in a phone specific forum but I feel that it needs more exposure since it is a pretty significant issue for android. http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=774990
Basically it comes down to not being able to be part of a group MMS if you are not the sender.
iOS attaches all users in a group message to the header of an MMS message, and when this message is received on an android device the receiver can only see the sender, not the other people in the conversation. So, when the android user tries to reply to this message it only gets sent to the originator of the group message instead of all of the users in the group.
Currently, there is an application that handles this functionality and it is the Verzion Messages application. However, this application is out-dated and is missing other messaging features.
AT&T also has an application that addresses this issue, however, not many people have had success with it. At least for me, using my Galaxy Nexus on AT&T (4.0.2), the application opens and only shows a blank screen.
Can we get a developer to modify a current texting application, or create a new one that handles group MMS that recognizes all users of the group and will send a reply to everyone, not just the originator?
NOTE: Some other 3rd party texting applications allow group texting, but will only work if you are the originator.
How many other people have run into this issue?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This has been addressed. This function is now standard in Jelly Bean 4.2 see link: http://forums.androidcentral.com/verizon-galaxy-nexus-rooting-roms-hacks/207431-group-text-messaging-jb-achieved.html

[Q] Group Texting on S3/Android

I recently decided enough with Apple/the iphone and so far I am absolutely loving my S3 and android in general. My only major issue is group messaging within the stock messages app.
With the iPhone it would show me in a group text who messages are also sent to and allow me to reply to all within the group.
Is there a particular setting to allow this on the S3 messaging app? I really like the look/theme of the app and would love this functionality. I do realize there are 3rd party messaging apps out there but I wasn't sure if I was missing anything.
Thanks.
It's not possible with the stock sms app, or even the samsung sms app. You need a 3rd party app like GoSMS Pro, or Handcent. There is a setting in each which enables it.
What it does is it combines the MMS's for you when they come in....so at first they come in as "download"...after they download, they go into the correct thread.
Yes it is just add multiple recipients and then send.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I747 using Tapatalk 2
lgkahn said:
Yes it is just add multiple recipients and then send.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I747 using Tapatalk 2
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Click to collapse
Yea, but when the message comes back, it doesn't group the recipients back (if your recipient replied to all). Don't see a way to reply to all either...in the case that someone sends you a group text.
jiggytom said:
Yea, but when the message comes back, it doesn't group the recipients back (if your recipient replied to all). Don't see a way to reply to all either...in the case that someone sends you a group text.
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Click to collapse
I see this as well. It's a shame since other phones already have the ability.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I747 using Forum Runner
fitzdafifth said:
I recently decided enough with Apple/the iphone and so far I am absolutely loving my S3 and android in general. My only major issue is group messaging within the stock messages app.
With the iPhone it would show me in a group text who messages are also sent to and allow me to reply to all within the group.
Is there a particular setting to allow this on the S3 messaging app? I really like the look/theme of the app and would love this functionality. I do realize there are 3rd party messaging apps out there but I wasn't sure if I was missing anything.
Thanks.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You can group people together. You can select a group(s) to have your message sent to. If your friends have only one phone number in your contacts it won't ask which one to use, and unfortunately it doesn't remember which ones you picked the next time you start a new conversation (it does remember in the thread). Unless they can reply to all, the responding messages show up as a new thread.
Perhaps you can do this with the ATT MyMsgs app, I don't know.
stan.s said:
You can group people together. You can select a group(s) to have your message sent to. If your friends have only one phone number in your contacts it won't ask which one to use, and unfortunately it doesn't remember which ones you picked the next time you start a new conversation (it does remember in the thread). Unless they can reply to all, the responding messages show up as a new thread.
Perhaps you can do this with the ATT MyMsgs app, I don't know.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I heard that the ATT Messages app supports group texting, but you can't initiate a group text...very odd if its true.

[Q] group texting help needed

I've searched and I've read threads, some of which are a bit older, and I've gotten to the point I need to be smart enough to ask for help.
I have a Droid Razr and my wife has the Razr M. We're on Verizon. We both currently use the Verizon Messages app and it's really ok for everyday messaging. However, about once or twice a month, my wife needs to send a group text to about 15 people. To do this in Verizon Messages, you have to add each recipient individually. If we can have contacts in Groups, why can't we just select a group?
Whatever.... maybe that horse is dead.
Is it worthwhile to install an app just for group texts? If yes, do you have a suggestion?
I want to avoid anything with ads because I hate them. I want to be sure I don't add something that will start causing double notifications and confusing things going on in the status bar. I'd also like to avoid having to sign up for a service. I just want to be able to send a group text and see the responses all in one thread (not separate ones).
Is there a reasonably simple way to do this? In one article I read there was mention that installing one of the 3rd party apps (like handcent or chomp) somehow enabled Verizon Messages to be able to select a group as recipient. I tried installing on my phone and didn't see that happening.
Any and all help is appreciated.
Oh and neither of the phones is rooted. They're both running 4.1.2 I believe. I know my Razr is.
There are a few SMS apps that support group messaging. The one that I always go back to is GoSMS Pro. I hate bloated apps, but you can manage to trim some of the fat off GoSMS through the menus of the app. Functionality wise, GoSMS works great.
Sent from my XT912 using xda app-developers app

Group messaging

So as much as I love this phone the one gripe I have is there is no group messaging option for us stock users. What do you guys use as far as a good messaging app? I love the stock messaging app just wish there was a group messaging option.
There's an option for group messaging either thru SMS or MMS
Where? I feel like I'm missing something. I can start a group message but if I receive a message and its a group message I get everyone's replies individually in separate threads.
I just wish there was a way to put all of those group messages in one thread. I hate seeing then separately.
59fifty1 said:
I just wish there was a way to put all of those group messages in one thread. I hate seeing then separately.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I had the same problem but fixed it. Just go to your messages app and then go to settings. From there go to Multimedia messages (MMS). Then turn on group messaging and voila.
59fifty1 said:
I just wish there was a way to put all of those group messages in one thread. I hate seeing then separately.
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Click to collapse
choboii said:
I had the same problem but fixed it. Just go to your messages app and then go to settings. From there go to Multimedia messages (MMS). Then turn on group messaging and voila.
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Click to collapse
Yup, he hit it right on the money. I found this the first day in the same place. Again it's located in your MMS settings in the messaging app. :thumbup:
Sent from my HTC One rocking Clean ROM 2.0 using xda premium
Thanks guys! Yeah I did that but it's weird, mine shows up as multimedia messages in individual threads. I don't know what else to do.
59fifty1 said:
Thanks guys! Yeah I did that but it's weird, mine shows up as multimedia messages in individual threads. I don't know what else to do.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Are you trying this with a newly made group MMS? If you sent a group MMS previously and your friends are replying to that, it may not work. Try starting a new one.
NikAmi said:
Are you trying this with a newly made group MMS? If you sent a group MMS previously and your friends are replying to that, it may not work. Try starting a new one.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well my buddy started a group message and I received his message and everyone else's message in separate threads rather than all in one thread.
I don't believe you effect a group started by someone else. Especially iphone users. Hate when they include me.
Sent from my GT-N5110 using xda premium
I use GO SMS for group messaging and stock messaging for individual texts.
Edit: I enabled it and it works great! I had my bro send a group message through his iPhone and it works! No more Go SMS or Handcent! I love this phone more and more everyday.
Sent from the Sexiest Android Device (HTC One)
Hello guys. I just got my HTC One. I have enabled group messaging from the MMS setting menu and have sent out a few group messages but I'm still getting responses individually. Any idea what would be the problem? Thanks!
If you sent to people who don't have group messaging...you will get individual responses because they don't have the option. I.e....I sent out a group msg to people with iPhones, HTC one and Samsung Galaxies...only the iPhone and One users were able to respond in the same group thread. The Samsung users responses were individual. I believe it's not an option on every android so there are alternatives like GO SMS and Handcent but they can be buggy. I am so GLAD that HTC embedded this option on the One. This was another reason why I chose this over the S4.
Edit: I was wrong, the S4 also has the group mms option.
Sent from the "ONE" for me
SKyRocKeting727 said:
If you sent to people who don't have group messaging...you will get individual responses because they don't have the option. I.e....I sent out a group msg to people with iPhones, HTC one and Samsung Galaxies...only the iPhone and One users were able to respond in the same group thread. The Samsung users responses were individual. I believe it's not an option on every android so there are alternatives like GO SMS and Handcent but they can be buggy. I am so GLAD that HTC embedded this option on the One. This was another reason why I chose this over the S4.
Sent from the "ONE" for me
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for the reply!
I have sent a group message to a group of iphone users and still got individual messages back. I'm not sure what is going on??
Leave the send as individual messages box UNchecked.
Sent from the "ONE" for me
Group messaging was established system wide with 4.2.2, update to a ROM with 4.2.2 and it will work great..If you don't want to upgrade and/or use a different SMS app...I love Textra SMS ...very simple and does group messaging perfectly.
Wasuhz said:
Group messaging was established system wide with 4.2.2, update to a ROM with 4.2.2 and it will work great..If you don't want to upgrade and/or use a different SMS app...I love Textra SMS ...very simple and does group messaging perfectly.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I second this. I use Textra and it's fabulous. Group Messaging works flawlessly.
Does anyone find that when sending group messages through the stock sense app to be really slow? Its like I have to wait a few seconds for the group message to go through. It really annoying
Sent from my HTC One using xda premium
doug0365 said:
Does anyone find that when sending group messages through the stock sense app to be really slow? Its like I have to wait a few seconds for the group message to go through. It really annoying
Sent from my HTC One using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah it tends to be a little slow but it's because it's converting to sms to mms message.
Sent from the "ONE" phone for me
You all need to download TEXTRA Messaging app from the market. Works flawlessly and emoji support. Best text message app out. Updated frequently.

iMessage Hijacking Group Messages after De-Registering

Good Morning,
I recently switched to a Samsung Galaxy phone after a string of recent frustrations with my iPhone 6. I followed all of Apple's instructions over a week before I switched phones, including signing out of iMessage, FaceTime, etc. and de-registering iMessage on the support site. iPhone users can now send me individual SMS messages without issue, but I cannot group message with iPhone users, as iMessage hijacks the thread and I never see any messages but my own. This is a huge problem for me as we use group texts extensively at work. I opened a bug report with the following text:
Summary: After switching to an Android device and properly following Apple's instructions to de-register from iMessage and FaceTime, I am still unable to receive group messages from iPhone users. They will receive my messages as MMS group texts, but their returns are sent as iMessage and I (obviously) never receive them. This has been an issue for years but apparently still has not been resolved. This is a huge issue for anyone who switches between multiple devices.
Steps to Reproduce:
1) Have an iPhone on a cell line with iMessage turned on.
2) De-register from iMessage and FaceTime, then swap your SIM into an Android phone 24 hours or more later.
3) Send a group message to some iPhone users.
4) They will receive your messages as SMS/MMS but their returns will be sent as iMessage and thus lost.
Expected Results: iOS devices should recognize that the device they are replying to is not iMessage-capable and default back to SMS/MMS as intended.
Actual Results: Complete fail, with iMessages lost into the ether and communications halted.
Version: 9.2 / 13C75
Notes:
Configuration:
IOS9 iPhone switched to Samsung Galaxy S6 after following Apple's recommended steps to unregister from iMessage. Also reproducible by simply turning off iMessage and trying to utilize traditional group texting on an iPhone with iOS 9.
​This is the response I got:
Apple Developer Relations21-Dec-2015 10:17 AM
Engineering has provided the following information regarding this issue: This is correct. The group, if it's only ever iMessage, will not downgrade to MMS. If you had at some point in the past sent an MMS to this group then we’d allow downgrading of the group. Basically if you deregister iMessage in an iMessage only group we won’t downgrade the conversation to a weaker technology.​
I can't imagine that their engineering strategy is to permanently hijack group messaging ability for users, so I sent the following response:
Well Apple can't permanently hijack my ability to group message with iPhone users - there has to be a method to resolve this. How am I to go about group messaging with iPhone owners who use iMessage? Deleting and re-creating these threads does not work for the iPhone users, even those who can message me directly, as the new thread converts to iMessage and I am again cut out of the conversation. I can't imagine that Apple's engineering strategy is to break messaging ability for any user who switches off of the platform.​
My question to you all is this: has anyone been able to fix this problem and resume group messaging with iPhone users via MMS rather than iMessage after switching? The response from engineering seems like it would be incorrect (and it also seems like it would be somehow illegal/unethical to permanently hijack someone's number if it were in fact true).
Any help that you can provide would be fantastic.
Thanks!
Group messaging with iPhone users has always been an issue for android. I have heard all types of horror stories from people that stopped using iPhone but had to go back just for this reason.
zelendel said:
Group messaging with iPhone users has always been an issue for android. I have heard all types of horror stories from people that stopped using iPhone but had to go back just for this reason.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It just sucks that there's no recourse with Apple. It's ridiculous that you can be handcuffed to one platform over something like this. You'd think the FCC would care.
sweendiggler said:
It just sucks that there's no recourse with Apple. It's ridiculous that you can be handcuffed to one platform over something like this. You'd think the FCC would care.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Most of them dont really care as it is a proprietary app so they have the right to lock out people that dont use their platform. Just the nature of the beast that is competition.

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