How do I use text messages on my device?
Find out how to send, delete or forward a text message and how to block spam or change your text alert tone. The icons and screen may differ slightly from the illustrations below depending on your device, operating system and theme.
You are not able to choose between SMS or MMS. Your messaging service will automatically switch to MMS if you are sending a picture message, or if your text message goes over the character limit, normal SMS length is 160 characters.
To find the Messages app, you may have to look in your Samsung folder. If you still cannot find the app, use your phone’s search function to locate it.
Please note: This FAQ is for text sending text messages. For information on using other messaging apps, please consult the developer’s website.
To create and send a text message, you will need to:
- On the home screen, choose Messages or swipe up to access your apps and choose Messages from the Samsung folder.
- Tap the Compose icon.
- Tap the plus (+) icon and select the contact you'd like to message.
- Tap Done.
- Type your message, then tap the Send icon.
Please note: if you exit a message before you send it, the message will be automatically saved as a draft.
Please note: MMS or Multimedia Messages may incur a charge from your network provider or may not be allowed by your network provider depending on your contract. If you are having difficulty sending or receiving MMSs, you should check with your network as to whether they are included in your contract.
An MMS, or Multimedia Message, is a type of message sent when attaching media to a text message. To send an MMS, you will need to:
- On the home screen, choose Messages or swipe up to access your apps and choose Messages from the Samsung folder.
- Tap the Compose icon.
- Tap the plus (+) icon and select the contact you'd like to message.
- Tap Done.
- You can add a picture from Gallery by tapping the Picture icon, take a new picture by tapping the Camera icon or you can tap the Attach icon.
- Tap your chosen multimedia element.
- Tap Send. Depending on your device, you may need to tap Done before proceeding.
If you are experiencing problems sending an MMS, please contact your network provider.
To delete a text message, you will need to:
- On the home screen, choose Messages or swipe up to access your apps and choose Messages from the Samsung folder.
- Press and hold the message(s) you would like to delete or tap All.
- Tap Delete.
- Tap Delete again.
- Your message(s) has now been deleted.
The below steps will show you how to use the inbuilt forwarding option on your device.
- On the home screen, choose Messages or swipe up to access your apps and choose Messages from the Samsung folder.
- Open the message you wish to forward.
- Press and hold down on the message text until you get a pop-up menu.
- Tap Forward.
- Select your contact(s), then tap Compose or Done. If you do not see this screen, skip to step 6.
- Tap Send.
To block text messages, you will need to:
- On the home screen, choose Messages or swipe up to access your apps and choose Messages from the Samsung folder.
- Open the message you wish to block.
- Tap menu (three dots).
- Tap Block number or Block contact.
- Tap Block.
If you want to remove the number from your blocked list, tap Unblock number or Unblock contact.
To check your text message spam folder, you will need to:
- On the home screen, choose Messages or swipe up to access your apps and choose Messages from the Samsung folder.
- Tap menu (three dots).
- Tap Settings.
- Tap Block messages or Block numbers and messages.
- Tap Blocked messages.
- Any messages that have been blocked will now show.
MMS messaging is provided by your network, and MMS messaging and charges differ by provider.
You can block MMS messages on your mobile phone by requesting that your network provider discontinue the service for you.
To delay sending a text message, you will need to:
- On the home screen, choose Messages or swipe up to access your apps and choose Messages from the Samsung folder.
- Tap the Compose icon.
- Tap the plus (+) icon and select the contact you'd like to message.
- Tap Done.
- Type your message, then tap the plus (+) icon to show the menu.
- Tap Schedule message.
- Choose the date and time, then tap Done.
- Tap Send.
- An image will appear next to the scheduled message.
Please note: if you don’t see the plus (+) icon, tap the triangle (>) and it will appear.
Your message notifications will be set to default. To change your default message tone, you will need to:
- From the home screen swipe up to access your apps, then tap Settings.
- Tap Notifications.
- Scroll to Messages, then use the toggle to enable or disable your notifications.
- Tapping messages will allow you to customise your notifications.
If you can't see messages, make sure All has been selected.
You can set your Samsung Galaxy smartphone to send repeat notifications until you read your text or message. On later models, you can also set which apps and messages to set on repeat.
- From the home screen swipe up to access your apps, then tap Settings.
- Tap Accessibility.
- Tap Advanced settings. If you do not see this screen, skip to step 4.
- Tap Notification reminders. On some devices you may need to tap Vision before choosing Notification reminders.
- Use the toggle to enable or disable Notification reminders.
- To change the interval at which you wish to be reminded, choose Remind every, then select your preferred interval time.
- To choose which types of notifications are repeated, tap the toggle next to the applicable app.
Please note: using the inbuilt emoticons/smilies should not be chargeable when used in a normal length SMS (160 characters). If emojis from a third-party keyboard are used these could turn your SMS into MMS which may be chargeable depending on network.
You can express yourself in fun and creative ways with My Emoji. Create an emoji that looks just like you!
You can capture photos and videos with My Emoji or share stickers of My Emoji with others.
- On the home screen, choose Messages or swipe up to access your apps and choose Messages from the Samsung folder.
- Tap the compose icon.
- On the Samsung keyboard tap the Emoji icon. If you can't see this option, choose the smiley face to change your keyboard options.
- Choose the emoji you'd like to use.
- Tap Send.
The Live Message feature allows you to use the S Pen to create a short, animated message. The feature is supported by most major instant messaging apps including Whatsapp, Facebook Messenger, WeChat, Line and more.
- Open Air Command by tapping the S Pen button twice.
- Choose Live message. (You can also select it by tapping the Live Message icon on the Samsung keyboard).
- Choose Pen effects to change the effects you might wish to change, e.g. colour or effects such as Sparkle, and adjust the thickness by swiping the slider.
- Write your message using the S Pen.
- Choose Done once finished.
- Choose Share when you're ready to share your message.
- Choose how you want to share it (e.g. via Messages or email etc.), select your recipient and send.
Click here to view the Samsung Smart Simulator: an interactive guide for everything from inserting your SIM card, to maximising battery life or using the S Pen.
To send a text message by voice, you will need to:
- On the home screen, choose Messages or swipe up to access your apps and choose Messages from the Samsung folder.
- Tap the Compose icon.
- Tap to Enter message, then tap the Microphone icon.
- Start speaking. Your device should now type what you say.
- Tap Send.
On some operating systems, a radio wave icon will be displayed. This will allow you record a voice message, but it will be sent as an MMS which may incur a charge from your network provider.
Please note: available Bixby functions and features can differ by region and by device.
Before you can send a message using Bixby you will need to make sure that the Bixby Key and Bixby Voice has been enabled. For more information about Bixby services, click here.
- Press and hold the Bixby Key.
- Once Bixby is listening, you will need to tell it who you would like to send the message to and the message you would like to send.
- Tap Send or say Yes to send your message.
- Bixby will confirm once it has sent your message.
If you're experiencing unusual behaviour on Samsung mobiles, tablets or wearables, you can send us an error report or ask us a question in the Samsung Members app.
This allows us to take a closer look at what is happening. The data is anonymised and only held for the duration of the investigation. Find out more about sending an error report through the Samsung Members app.
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