The search for an all-in-one mobile messaging app is elusive

Q: My issue: Understanding the Messages app (on Android phone) and the Messenger app (part of Facebook) and why they seem to fight each other? First, it starts out very confusing because the names are very similar. Second: Not all of my family and friends are on Facebook. The majority are on Facebook. When I receive texts from some friends, it comes up in Messages and asks to be the default app. Then a text will come in on Messenger on FB, causing Messenger to load and ask if IT can be the default app. Also, each app has a switch to turn on SMS capability. Is there a single app that would work for both FB and non-FB friends (sacrificing some of the integration with

FB)? Or should I use Messenger exclusively and remove Messages from my phone? Or is there another app that is better than both? — Steve Pitts, Boulder

Tech+: You only use two messaging services Steve? What about WhatsApp, Slack, Skype and SnapChat?

Excessiveness aside, you’re not alone in your ask. Wired, Engadget and others have complained about the lack of a single universal messaging app for years. But the idea of using just one mobile app to communicate with friends and family who prefer a service different from yours has been elusive, and something the technology universe just won’t seem to give us. Or not quite.

One promising app that does come to the top is Disa, at disa.im, and is available for Android devices. It combines three services: Facebook messaging, WhatsApp and the phone’s built-in texting. (It, too, also asks to take over the phone’s built-in Messages app). But the good news is the company isn’t done. It hopes to integrate more messaging services by encouraging developers to create more plugins for alternative messaging options.

For iPhone users, IM+ from developer Shape, also mixes multiple messaging services into one app. But recent reviews are mixed as to whether everything is working as promised.

We know this challenge isn’t impossible. For computers, there are many more options, such as Franz, which supports Slack, WhatsApp, WeChat, HipChat, Facebook Messenger, Telegram, Google Hanouts, GroupMe, Skype and “many more,” according to the European developer ( Wired magazine’s review called Franz “not perfect” but the next best thing). These apps — including

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All in One Messenger and Rambox — are limited to PCs, Macs and Linux computers.

But for now, universal messaging apps for mobile devices are not as universal as one would hope.

Of course in your case Steve, it sounds like you’re just using Facebook Messenger and your phone’s built-in SMS texting app — i.e. Android’s Messages.

If you prefer to use just one, then it’ll have to be Facebook’s option because Android’s builtin “Messages” doesn’t connect to Facebook. However, Facebook will oblige so you can keep messages from all of your Facebook friends and non-Facebook friends in one app.

Prefer to keep them separate? Go into Android’s Messages app, select the three vertical dots in the top right, select “Settings” and pick the top option “Default SMS app.” You’ll be able to pick which messaging service you want to have priority.

Likewise, go into Facebook Messenger settings (click your circle photo to get into settings), then select “SMS” and turn it off. Then you won’t get those annoying requests to make Facebook the default.

Hey readers, if you have discovered a must-share universal app, then please, share it. Comment below or contact Tech+ via dpo.st/mailbag.