SMS (Text Messaging) (KitKat)

Tiggs M.

No longer supported

The phone(s) described in this article can no longer be activated with Republic. Please see Republic Wireless Phones for information on currently supported phones.

This document is intended for Moto E (1st Gen.), Moto G (1st Gen.) and Moto X (1st Gen.) users

Types of SMS
Set Default Messaging App
Send A Text Message Using Messaging
Send A Text Message Using Hangouts
Send A Text Message Using Android Messages
Troubleshooting

Note:

For instructions on how to send a picture/video message (MMS), go here: MMS (Picture/Video Messaging) (KitKat)
If your phone is currently running on Lollipop, you can find the instructions for SMS (text messaging) here: SMS (Text Messaging)

Types of SMS

There are three types of SMS (text messaging):

Standard SMS
Email to SMS
- If your phone is running the Republic Wireless app version 2.06.1985 or above, you can enable Email to SMS using the instructions Enable Email to SMS
TollFree (TF) to SMS
- Some companies use TollFree (TF) to SMS to send messages without short codes for customer service functions and alert systems.
- There's no need to enable TollFree (TF) to SMS, it's already enabled in our app and follows the normal flow between WiFi and cellular networks.
- Emojis are enabled, standard character limits still apply.

Set Default Messaging App

You can currently set only Messaging, Hangouts, or Android Messages as your default messaging app. Please see Republic Health and Wellness for more info.

In Settings

Tap Apps.
Select Settings.
Under Wireless & networks, tap More.
Tap Default SMS app.
Select Hangouts or Messaging.

In Hangouts

In the app's menu, tap Settings.
Tap SMS.
Under General, tap SMS disabled.
Tap Yes when asked if you want to use Hangouts as your SMS app.

In Android Messages

In the app's menu, tap Settings.
Tap Default SMS app.
Tap Yes when asked if you want to use Messages as your SMS app.

Send A Text Message Using Messaging

Detail Images		Follow the below step-by-step tutorial
	1.	Open Messaging.
	2.	Select an existing conversation OR Tap the New Message icon at the bottom left of the screen, then enter a contact name or phone number or a new phone number in the To field. Note: Phone numbers must be 10 digits (area code + phone number).
	3.	Enter your message in the Type message bar. (For other message settings, tap the Menu icon at the top right of the screen.)
	4.	To add an emoji to a message, tap the Emoji keyboard icon on the bottom right of your current keyboard. If you're not adding an Emoji to your message, skip to step #6.
	5.	Boom, Emojis! Tap ABC to return to your original keyboard and send your message. Note: You will need to be on the Republic Wireless app version 1.8.5 or higher, Republic to Republic devices will need to both be on 1.8.5 or higher. Emojis are not available for the DEFY XT.
	6.	Tap the Send icon.
	7.	After you send your message, you can save the number to your contacts by tapping the Menu icon, then tapping Add to People. (You can choose to create a new contact or add the number to an existing contact.)

Send A Text Message Using Hangouts

Note: Hangouts must be set as the default messaging app to send SMS/text messages.

Detail Images		Follow the below step-by-step tutorial
	1.	Open Hangouts.
	2.	Select a contact from your Frequent Contacts or an existing conversation from your conversation list OR Search for a contact's name, email address, phone number, or circle name. in the Frequent Contacts search bar by tapping New message from your conversation list and searching. (If your contact isn't available on Hangouts and has a phone number, you'll see an SMS icon with the contact's profile photo.) OR Search for a phone number. After you've finished entering the number, tap the number below Send SMS to.
	3.	Enter your message in the Send SMS to bar.
	4.	Tap the Send icon.
	5.	After you send your message, you can save the number to your contacts by tapping the Menu icon, then tapping Add to contacts.

Send A Text Message Using Android Messages

Note: Android Messages must be set as the default messaging app to send SMS.

Detail Images		Follow the below step-by-step tutorial
	1.	Open Messages.
	2.	Tap an existing conversation to select. OR Tap the New Message icon, then Choose a contact from the Frequents or All Contacts tabs. Enter a contact name or phone number in the To field. Enter a new phone number in the To field, then tap Send to.
	3.	Enter message text in the Send message bar.
	4.	Tap the Send icon.
	5.	After you send your message, you can save the number to your contacts by tapping the Menu icon, then tapping Add contact.

Troubleshooting

For help with text messaging issues, please see Troubleshooting Texting Issues.

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