25
votes
Accepted
Apps are not allowed by Google to read SMS messages, but why can they read OTP SMS directly?
Google blocks apps from (mis)using Call Log and/or SMS permissions if they are not the core functionalities of the apps, with some exceptions and alternatives.
SMS (termux-sms-list and termux-sms-send)...
- 14.4k
20
votes
Accepted
How does an app reads an OTP SMS without SMS permission?
Verification by OTP uses a different API which doesn't need read SMS permission. You can read more here Perform SMS Verification on a Server
Hence, the app isn't reading your SMS but using a separate ...
- 38.6k
10
votes
Where on the file system are SMS messages stored?
Looks like it moved to data/User_DE/0/com.android.providers.telephony/databases with Nougat.
At least, this is where it can be found on my Nexus 6. Hope this helps.
- 101
10
votes
Backup/Restore SMS/MMS via ADB on a non-rooted device?
I especially wonder why adb backup doesn't cover this.
It is not that adb backup doesn't want to cover the app com.android.providers.telephony. This app is not much different from any other system ...
- 24.2k
9
votes
Accepted
What does "Can't send message on card 1, error 21" mean?
Most likely the destination phone number is formatted wrong, which can happen particularly when importing contacts via third-party tool.
In this particular case, I used My Contacts Backup for iOS to ...
- 279
8
votes
Accepted
Auto forward sms to Telegram messenger Group
IFTTT to the rescue!
You can set IFTTT to forward an SMS from specific number to specific chat.
Steps:
Create you IFTTT account if not already exists.
Start the @IFTTT Telegram bot and authorize ...
- 534
7
votes
Accepted
Font in messaging has became huge
I found the answer: pinch zoom!
Using the two finger gesture in the messaging app changes the font size on:
texts
smileys
the "Enter message" field, default text as well as input text.
But not
...
- 659
7
votes
Accepted
Receiving Chinese blocks of texts in the Messaging app
Cause
It's likely caused by either/both character encoding incompatibility and/or wrong character encoding, resulting in mojibake (garbled text):
Character encoding incompatibility
SMS, or text ...
- 14.4k
6
votes
Accepted
How to revoke "SMS Services that cost you money" permission?
You can choose another setting by going into Settings > Applications > Applications Manager > More (top right) > Show System Apps > Message Service (rather than Messages) >
Tap 'Send Premium SMS' > ...
- 76
6
votes
Accepted
How to see at what time an SMS was sent?
Download and install the application Android Messages made by Google LLC.
This app replaces the standard Message app. To see the time an SMS/message was sent, just push and hold a finger on the ...
- 86
5
votes
Accepted
How can I merge SMS and Hangouts messages within Hangouts?
If you long press on either hangout (MOIP or SMS), then press on the other one you should get an option to merge them. This should then give you the option to send either from the same hangout.
There ...
- 8,765
5
votes
Accepted
In the Hangouts app, how do I "mark all as read"?
Unfortunate that this question had never received any love. Despite it being an entire year later, this functionality is not available as a feature in the Hangouts app on Android, iOS, or the web.
...
- 166
5
votes
How to move SMS from hangouts to messenger app
Devin, I am not extremely familiar with stock Android, so I apologize if some of what I try to describe does not work exactly as I try to explain it.
The SMS messages on your phone is maintained in a ...
- 66
5
votes
Accepted
SMS/MMS database location?
While for Android 6 and 7 the DB with SMS data is located under
/data/data/com.android.providers.telephony
on my LineageOS 15 (Oreo) the file has been moved under
/data/data/com.android....
- 166
5
votes
How to prevent an app from sharing its data with Google?
See Data backup overview. Since changelog is talking of Android 6 compatibility, it is referring to Android auto backup (see table).
Enabled by default. Apps can opt out by disabling backups.
...
- 38.6k
4
votes
How to remotely turn mobile data on if phone is missing
The "trick" here is to employ an SMS Receiver which extends Broadcast Receiver
(for example: public class SmsReceiver extends BroadcastReceiver).
The SMS Receiver gains control whenever an Android ...
4
votes
Accepted
How to send binary SMS?
I don't know if this works, but there's an app called SMS Server with the following description:
Send binary sms messages on specifics ports. Indicated to test J2ME
sms applications that receive ...
- 17.5k
4
votes
Text bubble randomly changing color on Galaxy S6's stock Messaging app on Android 6.0
After a lot of research I haven't (and from the comments, it looks like neither have other users) been able to find any resources on the internet regarding this curious phenomenon.
I am, therefore, ...
- 485
4
votes
How to prevent two-factor code being exposed on lock screen in messages notification?
I would say the first notification in first image would serve as a good replacement for the first notification in second image.
(Click an image to enlarge it)
Given that an SMS usually contains ...
- 24.2k
4
votes
Accepted
How can I text a photo from Google Photos instead of a link?
[Originally posted in the comments section on 11/5/17]
After touching the "share" icon, you have to select the Messages app. Then you select the recipient and touch "MMS".
- 181
4
votes
Accepted
Is Google Allo supposed to capable of being the default SMS app?
It's not possible - it's universally the case:
First off, Allo isn't a Hangouts replacement. You can't set the messaging service as the default SMS client on your phone. It does offer the ability ...
- 534
4
votes
How to load URLs in a separate browser from within Samsung Messenger?
I was also looking for the same but literally there is no such option.
However, what Samsung's Official site suggests to do it, is:
If you would prefer to use another browser as default from the ...
- 360
4
votes
Accepted
SMS starts with "ACTA" sent without my consent
According to quick research, the "ACTA" SMS is used by ICICI Bank for a verification/activation message on their mobile apps (e.g. iMobile).
From Mi Community - Unable to activate icici i-...
- 14.4k
3
votes
Pop up message when sending large amounts of SMS messages
The other alternative (or probably the best one too) is to use ADB shell which may work on a non-rooted device as well:
zeroflte:/ $ settings put global sms_outgoing_check_max_count 999999
zeroflte:/ ...
- 131
3
votes
How to Search within SMSes in Hangouts App?
I have found the best way to search through my SMSes is to switch app temporarily. You can go back to Hangouts afterwards.
Lets hope Google realizes this is a needed feature for Hangouts.
- 31
3
votes
How to keep Hangouts from adding a "1" before SMS shortcode?
I have found a solution that worked for me:
Go to Settings -> SMS -> Default SMS Messaging Account
Then change it from you Google account into "SMS only account".
After doing that it no longer ...
- 31
3
votes
Accepted
Sending emoji via SMS with UTF-8 (rather than UTF-16)?
Sadly this is a limitation in the SMS protocol.
The "ascii" charset is not the normal we are used to in the computer world, instead it is a 7bit (or GSM 03.38 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/GSM_03.38) ...
- 46
3
votes
Accepted
How do I select the number of an incoming SMS?
In Google Hangouts, if I click the contact bubble (the circle on the right where their picture would be) it brings up their contact card. If you long-click the number there, there's an option to copy ...
- 9,788
3
votes
How to stop receiving text messages in Outlook
On the new Samsung Galaxy S7 - You must delete the account receiving the text messages and then reinstall it. During new account set up is the only time you will see the option of whether to sync SMS. ...
- 31
3
votes
How to remotely turn mobile data on if phone is missing
I think the XtraSEC Phone Locator is the app from Play Store is what you are looking for. As in the description on the PlayStore link,
✔ Remotely turn on WiFi or 3G data using SMS
✔ Remotely ...
- 3,293
Only top scored, non community-wiki answers of a minimum length are eligible