Force Stop messages on Android

In this guide well go over some common Android Messages problems and offer tips to fix them. Android Messages is Googles default text message app for millions of smartphones. Whether you have the Google Pixel 2, a Pixel 3 XL, or something else. Sending texts is something we do daily, and when it doesnt work its extremely frustrating.

Google Messages is great, but its not without its problems. We see complaints about the Pixel 2 XL text app crashing, Android Messages running slow, or users that cant send texts.

If youre experiencing problems well help you clean the app for a fresh start, troubleshoot some issues, or replace your text message app completely.

Google recently added a lot of neat new options and features to Android Messages. The biggest one being the ability to send and receive texts from your computer. And while these new features are nice, were seeing a huge increase in complaints that Android Messages simply doesnt work, crashes, runs slow, or deletes messages. Try these to fix your problems.

How to Fix Android Messages Running Slow

The biggest complaint we see about Googles Android Messages app is that it runs slow, laggy, and just struggles to keep up with users. There are a few potential reasons for this, and a few ways to fix it.

Our first suggestion is always to reboot your phone. Even if its an appacting funny. Simply long-press the power button on whatever phone you own, then tap reboot or restart. This should fix Android Messages running slow.

Next, how many text messages are on your phone? Some general maintenance and clean-up can go a long way. If youve sent and received messages for a year or two and never deleted old messages, you probably have a TON. The average person under the age of 34 sends or receives over 100 texts a day. Combine those for a year and you have over 36,000 messages on your phone, if not more.

So yes, deleting old messages and group threads can and absolutely will make Android Messages run better. I delete anything over 30 days old. If this doesnt fix your problem, try clearing the cache.

Head to Settings > Apps & Notifications > All Apps > and tap on Messages. Now, simply tap Storage and hit the Clear Cache button. This wont erase any of your messages, so dont worry. It just clears residual leftover files and gives the app a fresh start.

In fact, no matter what problems youre dealing with, try clearing the cache. This is the first and most important step before trying more drastic measures.

How to Fix Android Messages Crashing

For me, Android Messages just keeps crashing all the time. Even after I deleted old messages and cleared the cache. Plus, we see complaints about this often from others. If youre in the middle of a response and it crashes, the entire message gets deleted. This is extremely frustrating.

If Android Messages keeps crashing over and over for you, try forcing the app to close. This basically bypasses the bug thats making it crash, and manually shuts it down. Then when you open the app again yourself itll start fresh. Heres how to force close or force stop Android Messages.

• Go to Settings Pull down the notification bar and tap the gear-shaped settings button
• Select Apps & notifications, then All Apps
• Find and tap on Android Messages from the list
• Choose Force Stop (middle right side)

When you select Force Stop it will completely shut down and disable the Android Messages app on your phone. Youll have to physically tap the icon again to open it, or youll miss incoming messages and notifications. This closes and kills the app until you re-open it.

Read: How to Text From Your Computer on Android

Force close gives apps a fresh start and typically fixes any minor problems users are dealing with. Its not always the answer but it cant hurt to try.

How to Disable Smart Replies

This isnt really a problem, but its something we see people ask about all the time. In 2018 Google added smart reply pop-ups to your conversations. Similar to Gmail owners can easily and quickly respond to someone in a message by tapping words above the keyboard. Its a nice feature, but its in the way a lot and usually doesnt say what you want to say yourself.

Open Android Messages and tap the 3-dots menu button near the top right. Head to Settings > Smart Reply > and turn the switch OFF. Now youll have a regular texting experience without all of those reply popups.

How to Fix Missing Picture Messages

Are you having problems sending or receiving (MMS) picture messages in Android Messages? If so, you probably turned it off by accident. Open the app and tap the 3-dots at the top. Now, tap on Advanced and make sure auto-download MMS is turned on and blue. Its that easy.

Additionally, you could have an APN issue with your carrier, especially if youre using an unlocked device on a regional carrier, or brought a Verizon phone to T-Mobile. Call your carrier for help with APN settings, or follow this guide which works on most devices.

Other Android Messages Problems

We found tons of small Android Messages problems or complaints scattered throughout Twitter, Reddit, or the Google Play Store. However, almost any problem youre dealing with will likely get fixed by trying the three steps outlined above.

First, delete old text and picture messages you no longer need or want. This is an important step, even though its time-consuming. You can transfer them all to your computer or use SMS Backup to save them if youre worried about losing something important. After that try rebooting your phone, clearing the cache, or forcing the app to close.

However, if youre still having problems we have one more solution. This one is a last resort, as theres a small chance youll lose text messages, group conversations, or picture messages while taking this route. You shouldnt, but its a possibility. Were going to clear the app data for Android Messages.

• Go to Settings Pull down the notification bar and tap the gear-shaped settings button
• Select Apps & notifications, then All Apps
• Find and tap on Android Messages from the list
• Tap on Storage, then select Clear Storage
• Select Yes on the Delete App Data popup

This will delete any and all settings, files, app data, and customization. Basically erasing everything and giving Android Messages a fresh start. Your phone should save all of your text messages.

When you open your text app again following this step it may take a while to load. Thats because Android Messages is importing all of your text messages. So while you shouldnt lose anything, dont be surprised if you do, or pictures are missing/out of order. Thats why we recommend backing them up first.

Download a New Android Text Messenger App

In closing, we have one more suggestion for those running into problems. Try a different text message app. Googles Android Messages isnt your only option. Your Pixel 3 XL isnt stuck using Android Messages. Download one of the dozens of text app alternatives from the Google Play Store. We recommend Textra, and almost everyone else on Reddit or Googles help forum does too.

Download a new text messaging app for your phone and open it. Most will have instructions to set as default so you wont receive duplicate notifications. This sets your phone to only allow this specific app to send and receive messages, and the setup usually transfers all your messages, too.

Textra is extremely customizable, fast, stable, and works great. You wont run into all the problems we experience with Googles Android Messages app. Give it or even ChompSMS a try today.

If youre dealing with any other problems let us know in the comment section below. Well do our best to help.