How do I text on my LG Android phone?

Overview of Texting on LG Android Phones

LG Android smartphones use the standard Android Messaging app for sending and receiving text messages (SMS) and multimedia messages (MMS). The Messaging app comes pre-installed on LG phones and provides basic functionality for one-on-one conversations and group chats.

Key features of the Messaging app on LG phones include support for group MMS for messaging multiple contacts at once, the ability to send and receive pictures, videos, and other media within text conversations, and customizable notification settings. The app also automatically switches a text conversation to MMS when media is shared.

While LG pre-installs the standard Android messaging client, many alternate texting apps are available for download on the Google Play store. Popular options like WhatsApp, Facebook Messenger, Signal, and others can be installed to replace or supplement the built-in texting experience.

Opening the Messaging App

To open the default Messaging app on your LG Android phone, first locate the Messaging icon on your home screen or in the app drawer.

The Messaging icon looks like a white word balloon with dots inside on a green background. It may be on one of your home screen pages, or in the app drawer which is accessed by swiping up from the bottom of the home screen.

Once you’ve located the Messaging icon, simply tap it to launch the Messaging app. You should see the messaging screen open which shows your recent conversations and contacts. From here you can start a new text conversation or tap an existing conversation to respond.

If you cannot find the Messaging app icon on your LG phone, go to Settings > Apps > Tap the menu icon in the top right > Show system > Scroll to find Messaging in the app list to check that it is installed.

You can also go to Settings > Apps > Default apps to set Messaging or another app as your preferred texting application.

Starting a New Text Conversation

When you want to start a new text conversation in the LG messaging app, just tap the compose icon. The compose icon typically looks like a pen or a “+” symbol. According to LG’s own user guide, to start a new text:

1. Open the Messaging app (set it as your default messaging app, if necessary), then tap the New message icon (at the top right of the screen).
2. Enter the recipient’s phone number or select a contact.
3. Tap the text field to enter your message.

The Messaging app makes it quick and convenient to reach any contact. Simply tap the text field, enter the phone number or contact name, then start typing your message. You’ll see options to add emojis, images, your location, and more as you compose the text.

Replying to a Text Message

When you receive a new text message on your LG Android phone, you can easily reply directly from the notification or within the Messaging app.

To reply to a text message:

1. Open the Messaging app. You’ll see a list of your text message conversations.
2. Tap on the conversation with the message you want to reply to. This will open the conversation thread.
3. Tap on the text field at the bottom to enter your reply message.
4. Type your reply text.
5. Once finished, tap the send icon (usually an arrow or paper airplane icon) to send your reply back to the sender.

You’ll see your reply message appear in the conversation thread. The recipient will get your reply text immediately on their phone. Replying to texts on LG Android phones is quick and easy!

Some LG Android models also allow you to easily reply directly from the text notification without opening the Messaging app (Source: https://www.lg.com/us/mobile-phones/VS950/Userguide/communication_to_respond_to_messages_you_receive.html). Just tap the text field in the notification to enter and send your reply.

Sending a Picture in a Text

To send a picture in a text message in LG Android phones:

1. Open the conversation you want to send the picture in and tap the attach icon (typically looks like a paperclip or pushpin).

2. Select ‘Gallery’ and choose a photo from your Camera Roll to send.

3. Crop or edit the image if desired using the built-in editing tools.

4. Tap ‘Send’ once the picture is ready to include it in your text message automatically.

The process for including photos in a text conversation is very intuitive for LG Android phones. As soon as you tap the attachment icon, you will be presented with options for adding media, including photos, videos, audio, emojis, and more. LG’s Gallery integration also makes pulling up a photo fast and easy.

Group Texting

To send a message to multiple recipients simultaneously, LG Android phones offer group messaging. To start a group text conversation:

1. Open the Messaging app and tap the compose icon to start a new message.
2. In the recipient field, enter multiple contacts by typing names or numbers separated by commas.
3. Once multiple recipients have been added, the Messaging app will automatically create a group conversation, where all participants can view and reply to messages within the thread.
4. Tap the subject line at the top to name the group for easy identification.

Group messaging allows efficient communication with multiple people at once. All replies will be visible to everyone in the conversation for seamless collaboration.

Source: https://www.lg.com/us/mobile-phones/VS840PP/Userguide/communication_to_send_the_group_message.html

Texting Apps and Customization

LG Android phones come with the LG Messages app as the default messaging application. This app provides basic texting functionality and also supports RCS messaging for enhanced features like read receipts, typing indicators, high-quality photo sharing, video calls, and more (source).

The LG Messages app has options to customize notifications, signatures, quick replies, and more. You can find these by navigating to the app’s settings. Additionally, there are many alternative texting apps available for free download from the Google Play Store.

Popular third-party options like Textra offer additional features not found in the default messaging app, such as scheduled messages, contact-specific notifications, encryption, and extensive theming. These apps can replace the LG Messages app as your primary texting application if desired.

Texting from Your Computer

You can continue your text conversations from your computer by downloading the Messages app on your Windows or Mac computer and syncing it to your LG Android phone. Here’s how:

• On your computer, download the Messages app from the Microsoft Store (Windows) or the Apple App Store (Mac). This will allow you to send and view texts right from your computer.
• Open the Messages app on your phone and enable syncing to other devices in the settings.
• A code will appear on your computer. Enter this on your phone to link the two devices.
• Your phone and computer will now be synced. Your text messages and conversations will appear in the Messages app on your computer.

With your devices synced via the Messages app, you can seamlessly continue conversations from your computer without having to pick up your phone. Any messages you send or receive on one device will instantly appear on the other.

Texting Tips and Tricks

There are several ways to customize and enhance your texting experience on LG Android phones.

Create Text Shortcuts and Emojis

You can set up custom text shortcuts and assign emojis to contacts. Go to Settings > System > Languages & input > Virtual keyboard > LG Keyboard > Text shortcuts. Here you can add abbreviations that will auto-expand when you type them. You can also add emoji shortcuts for contacts so their face pops up when you type a shortcut word.

Schedule Texts to Send Later

Need to text someone but don’t want to wake them up? You can schedule texts to send at specific times. When composing a text, touch and hold the send button. A menu will pop up with the option to schedule your message.

Change Notification Sounds and Vibrations

You can customize notification sounds and vibrations for texts. Go to Settings > Sound > Advanced settings > Notification sounds. Here you can set different sounds for messages, group chats, and other notifications. You can also adjust vibration patterns.

Organize Message Threads

To stay organized, use the search function in your messaging app to easily find message threads, or pin your most frequent contacts to the top. You can also archive old chats you don’t need clogging up your messages.

Troubleshooting Texting Issues

If you are having issues sending or receiving text messages on your LG Android phone, there are some troubleshooting steps you can take:

Check for software updates: Go to Settings > System updates to see if any app or device firmware updates are available. Installing the latest updates can fix bugs causing texting problems.

Reset network settings: In Settings > General > Reset, select Reset network settings. This will erase all network settings and restore them to default. You’ll have to reconnect to WiFi networks after, but it can resolve connectivity issues.

Clear app cache and data: Deleting the cache and data for the Messaging app can resolve corrupted files causing problems. Go to Settings > Apps > Messages > Storage > Clear Cache and Clear Data.

If the issues persist after trying the above steps, you may need to contact your carrier for further troubleshooting or phone replacement if required.