Help with Verizon text messaging moving to Google Messenger - onboard wifi doesn't work

[Rick&Jeannie]

@rhobbkf... here's a *possible* solution to your issue. Have you actually told your device to change the *default* text app to Google? If you don't do this the device can easily get confused about how to deal with the app you are using...assuming it is NOT the default.  Just something to check...

[WisCruiser2]

16 hours ago, rhobbkf said:

No, I have WhatsApp.  All my contacts don't.  I was hoping somebody knew why Google messenger doesn't send immediately on wifi when my current messenger by VZ does.  I get varying messages on the Google app.  It tells me to turn off airplane mode.  Or the message just sits with a small clock by it and then times out and asks if I want to resend.  Next month I won't have the luxury of switching back to VZ messenger to get my messages to send and receive. 

You can invite your contacts (the ones you want to keep in touch with) to WhatsApp by tapping the green box with the plus in it - it should show your phone contacts. The ones not using WhatsApp have "Invite" next to their name, and it will send them the link.

 

Is Google Messenger different from Google Messages? I use Messages to text on my Samsung phone and did not have difficulty texting at sea -- but I use Google Fi as our carrier, so maybe that's the difference? Good luck with this. Facebook Messenger would also work if you use that.

[macaws2]

We were on a 21 day Mediterranean in August and also used WhatsApp, I contacted the contacts I was going to message to and they also downloaded WhatsApp and had no issues, was able to send pictures etc, worked really well and once we got back into the U.S I just switched back to my normal messenger and we also have Verizon. 

Gladys 

[rhobbkf]

4 hours ago, Rick&Jeannie said:

@rhobbkf... here's a *possible* solution to your issue. Have you actually told your device to change the *default* text app to Google? If you don't do this the device can easily get confused about how to deal with the app you are using...assuming it is NOT the default.  Just something to check...

Yes, it forces me to select it as the default app before I can proceed.  But I appreciate any suggestions to try!

[rhobbkf]

4 hours ago, WisCruiser2 said:

You can invite your contacts (the ones you want to keep in touch with) to WhatsApp by tapping the green box with the plus in it - it should show your phone contacts. The ones not using WhatsApp have "Invite" next to their name, and it will send them the link.

 

Is Google Messenger different from Google Messages? I use Messages to text on my Samsung phone and did not have difficulty texting at sea -- but I use Google Fi as our carrier, so maybe that's the difference? Good luck with this. Facebook Messenger would also work if you use that.

I've started letting the kids know to download and use WhatsApp. 

 

It's google messages.  I also have a samsung (S24+), but for some reason it's not working well.  But perhaps it's more because I can switch back to the vz messages app and see the difference?  Others have also reported similar issues with google messages on wifi.  My texts just sit with a clock under them until they time out or tell me to turn off airplane mode. 

 

Another issue I had when using google messages was signing into accounts that require a text message verification code.  The codes either didn't come or came hours later when they were useless.  Not sure how I can solve that issue once the vz messaging app goes away.  😞

[Rick&Jeannie]

49 minutes ago, rhobbkf said:

  I also have a samsung (S24+), but for some reason it's not working well. 

I also am using an S24, just not the Plus version.  Maybe it's something with Verizon?  IDK.  Google Messages works great for me on AT&T.  Have you tried completely uninstalling/reinstalling?  Maybe something got crossed up on initial installation.