Handcent Next SMS messenger

11.10.2

Handcent

4.37

75,453 reviews

1,000,000+
Downloads

Free

Customizable SMS text messenger with AI,MMS, group message,sticker&private text

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Pros & Cons

AI-powered features that enhance messaging efficiency
Strong cross-device and Wear OS support for seamless use
Extensive customization with a large theme store
MMS support with cloud backup to protect multimedia messages

Broad permission requests may raise privacy considerations for some users
Rich feature set can imply a steeper learning curve for new users
Privacy considerations due to cloud syncing and data access typical of feature-rich messaging apps

About Handcent Next SMS messenger

Handcent Next SMS messenger is a communication app developed by Handcent.

Download Statistics

Handcent Next SMS messenger has been downloaded 3.4 million times. In the last 30 days, the app was downloaded 14 thousand times. It is ranked in the top 100 communication apps.

User Ratings

Handcent Next SMS messenger is rated 4.37 out of 5 stars. The rating is based on 75 thousand ratings.

App Information

Handcent Next SMS messenger is FREE to download. The APK download size is 47.07 MB. The latest version available is 11.10.2. The last update was on July 2, 2026.

Technical Requirements

Handcent Next SMS messenger requires Android 6.0+ or higher. The app has a content rating of Everyone. The app has been available on Google Play June 2015.

Description

Upgrade your messaging experience. Enjoy unlimited customization, AI features, cloud backup, MMS Plus , upmost privacy, and smooth texting on PC and tablet.

More data about Handcent Next SMS messenger

Price	Free to download
Total downloads	3.4 million
Recent downloads	14 thousand
Rating	4.37 based on 75 thousand ratings
Ranking	Highly ranked
Version	11.10.2
APK size	47.1 MB
Number of libraries	63
Designed for Android	6.0+
Suitable for	Everyone
Ads	Contains ads

App Performance Report

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Alternative downloads for the Handcent Next SMS messenger app

Handcent Next SMS messenger compared with similar apps

Common keywords of similar apps

Texts Ai Os Search Cloud Encrypted Device Wear Mass Top Reply Receive Handcent Customization Tablet Make Safe Worry Recent Ensure Auto Colors Smartwatches Multimedia Pop Box Text Messages Sms Mms Private Support Group Messenger Texting App Stickers Phone Message Messaging Features Backup Emoji Spam Privacy Chat Emojis Conversations Share Quick

Keywords missing from this app

Secure Free Fast Send Experience Chats Easy Home Screen Stay Restore Smart Friends Easily Time Apps Call Simple Inbox Contacts Block Enjoy Powerful Themes Reliable Contact

Google Play Rating history and histogram

53K

11K

4.3K

3.2K

4.7K

Downloads over time

Handcent Next SMS messenger has been downloaded 3.4 million times. Over the past 30 days, it averaged 480 downloads per day.

Changelog of Handcent Next SMS messenger

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Developer information for Handcent

Handcent

help@handcent.com

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Comments on Handcent Next SMS messenger for Android

★★★★☆ Nicki Le · Jul 18, 2026

I used to have this messaging app years ago & loved it. Recently had Samsung messages & since they're discontinued my new device changed to Google messages. I'm not a fan of my privacy actually not being forefront so here I am on the search for a new app. 4 stars for now ! But will be back 🤞🏾

★★★★★ Rachel y · Jul 16, 2026

Samsung boo you, Hand cent I love. I should say thank you samsung messages for kicking me out.... I was absolutely not going with "no personalization" Google messages, so I tried to find this message app I used years ago and low and behold Hand cent was still there, like a best friend always there for you and not letting you down. Thank you Hand cent. Paid version is very reasonable and SO WORTH IT.

★★★★★ FlyingNeedle Jodie · Jul 16, 2026

I use Samsung Galaxy, they stop serving their text app that I so used it, and liked it so much. Now I have to use Google text app. It was so annoying. I found this app, much better than Google text app.

★☆☆☆☆ George Kim · Jun 25, 2026

Only bad thing about Next SMS is that group texts do not automatically display. The response from each individual in the group comes in a download in that individual's separate text. You have to manually click the button to see what they posted..... Super, super frustrating & poor design.

★☆☆☆☆ A Google user · Jun 23, 2026

Recent update broke the ability to do group chat with iphone. RCS messaging is turned off in the native app so not sure what happened but going to the native app I get all my texts using next sms I get individual chats from iPhone but not group.

★☆☆☆☆ paul jackson · Jun 24, 2026

Ive had this app for years, and it has worked to my liking. However, since June 9, 2026, the group chat feature has not allowed for group texts to come through and when you default to another app like Google Messaging, they all appear. So I switched back to Next sms and the group chat messages only appear under some unrecognizable address (and frankly still don't come through unless I default back to Google Messaging)...can this be fixed or is it the end of the line for Hand cent Next sms? Help!

★☆☆☆☆ Diane J · Jul 14, 2026

Next SMS has been flagged as harmful malware. I did some research and, while the app itself is great and not a threat, it contains a compromised third-party software development kit (SDK) that silently harvests user data. WHY IS IT COLLECTING MY TEXTS AND CONTACTS?? You have to email the developer to get your data removed from their system. I removed the app. Such a shame because the features were amazing and far better than google messages. BEWARE!

Google Play Rankings for Handcent Next SMS messenger

Top rankings

Rank	Country	Category	List
74	United States	Communication	Top Grossing
129	Iran	Communication	Top Free
105	Iran	Communication	Top Grossing

Show all market rankings

Ranking history in Iran

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Technologies used by Handcent Next SMS messenger

Handcent Next SMS messenger is requesting 118 permissions and is using 63 libraries.

Permissions

Development tools

test access to protected storage

Your personal information

read your contacts, modify your contacts

Services that cost you money

directly call phone numbers, send SMS messages

Your location

approximate (network-based) location, precise (GPS) location

Your messages

read your text messages (SMS or MMS), receive text messages (MMS), receive text messages (SMS), edit your text messages (SMS or MMS)

Network communication

view network connections, view Wi-Fi connections, pair with Bluetooth devices, full network access, Google Play billing service, Google Play license check, receive data from Internet

Storage

modify or delete the contents of your USB storage

Phone calls

read phone status and identity, android.permission.READ_PRIVILEGED_PHONE_STATE

Hardware controls

take pictures and videos, record audio, control vibration

System tools

access Bluetooth settings, send sticky broadcast, change network connectivity, allow Wi-Fi Multicast reception, connect and disconnect from Wi-Fi, disable your screen lock, retrieve running apps, close other apps, run at startup, close other apps, set wallpaper, draw over other apps, prevent phone from sleeping, install shortcuts, read Home settings and shortcuts, uninstall shortcuts, write Home settings and shortcuts

Extra

android.permission.ACCESS_ADSERVICES_AD_ID, android.permission.ACCESS_ADSERVICES_ATTRIBUTION, android.permission.ACCESS_ADSERVICES_TOPICS, android.permission.ACCESS_NOTIFICATION_POLICY, android.permission.BLUETOOTH_CONNECT, android.permission.FOREGROUND_SERVICE, android.permission.FOREGROUND_SERVICE_DATA_SYNC, android.permission.INSTALL_DRM, android.permission.POST_NOTIFICATIONS, android.permission.READ_MEDIA_AUDIO, android.permission.READ_MEDIA_IMAGES, android.permission.READ_MEDIA_VIDEO, android.permission.READ_SETTINGS, android.permission.REQUEST_DELETE_PACKAGES, android.permission.SCHEDULE_EXACT_ALARM, android.permission.SYSTEM_OVERLAY_WINDOW, android.permission.USE_BIOMETRIC, android.permission.USE_FINGERPRINT, com.anddoes.launcher.permission.READ_SETTINGS, com.anddoes.launcher.permission.WRITE_SETTINGS, com.android.launcher2.permission.READ_SETTINGS, com.android.launcher2.permission.WRITE_SETTINGS, com.android.launcher3.permission.READ_SETTINGS, com.android.launcher3.permission.WRITE_SETTINGS, com.android.mylauncher.permission.READ_SETTINGS, com.android.mylauncher.permission.WRITE_SETTINGS, com.ebproductions.android.launcher.permission.READ_SETTINGS, com.ebproductions.android.launcher.permission.WRITE_SETTINGS, com.fede.launcher.permission.READ_SETTINGS, com.fede.launcher.permission.WRITE_SETTINGS, com.google.android.finsky.permission.BIND_GET_INSTALL_REFERRER_SERVICE, com.google.android.gms.permission.AD_ID, com.google.android.launcher.permission.READ_SETTINGS, com.google.android.launcher.permission.WRITE_SETTINGS, com.handcent.app.nextsms.DYNAMIC_RECEIVER_NOT_EXPORTED_PERMISSION, com.htc.launcher.permission.READ_SETTINGS, com.htc.launcher.permission.UPDATE_SHORTCUT, com.htc.launcher.permission.WRITE_SETTINGS, com.huawei.android.launcher.permission.CHANGE_BADGE, com.huawei.android.launcher.permission.READ_SETTINGS, com.huawei.android.launcher.permission.WRITE_SETTINGS, com.huawei.launcher2.permission.READ_SETTINGS, com.huawei.launcher2.permission.WRITE_SETTINGS, com.huawei.launcher3.permission.READ_SETTINGS, com.huawei.launcher3.permission.WRITE_SETTINGS, com.lenovo.launcher.permission.READ_SETTINGS, com.lenovo.launcher.permission.WRITE_SETTINGS, com.lge.launcher.permission.READ_SETTINGS, com.lge.launcher.permission.WRITE_SETTINGS, com.oppo.launcher.permission.READ_SETTINGS, com.oppo.launcher.permission.WRITE_SETTINGS, com.qihoo360.launcher.permission.READ_SETTINGS, com.qihoo360.launcher.permission.WRITE_SETTINGS, com.samsung.WATCH_APP_TYPE.Companion, com.samsung.accessory.permission.ACCESSORY_FRAMEWORK, com.samsung.android.launcher.permission.READ_SETTINGS, com.samsung.android.launcher.permission.WRITE_SETTINGS, com.samsung.android.providers.context.permission.WRITE_USE_APP_FEATURE_SURVEY, com.sec.android.app.twlauncher.settings.READ_SETTINGS, com.sec.android.app.twlauncher.settings.WRITE_SETTINGS, com.sonyericsson.home.permission.BROADCAST_BADGE, com.sonymobile.home.permission.PROVIDER_INSERT_BADGE, com.tencent.qqlauncher.permission.READ_SETTINGS, com.tencent.qqlauncher.permission.WRITE_SETTINGS, com.yahoo.mobile.client.android.permissions.YAHOO_INTER_APP, dianxin.permission.ACCESS_LAUNCHER_DATA, jp.co.sharp.android.permission.GET_LIMIT_STATUS, net.qihoo.launcher.permission.READ_SETTINGS, net.qihoo.launcher.permission.WRITE_SETTINGS, org.adw.launcher.permission.READ_SETTINGS, org.adw.launcher.permission.WRITE_SETTINGS, org.adw.launcher_donut.permission.READ_SETTINGS, org.adw.launcher_donut.permission.WRITE_SETTINGS, org.adwfreak.launcher.permission.READ_SETTINGS, org.adwfreak.launcher.permission.WRITE_SETTINGS, telecom.mdesk.permission.READ_SETTINGS, telecom.mdesk.permission.WRITE_SETTINGS

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