Customizable SMS text messenger with AI,MMS, group message,sticker&private text
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. It is the perfect alternative to stock SMS text messenger and Verizon Messages+
Secure and private messenger Best SMS app with personalization AI capabilities - powered by OpenAI to make texting easier Encrypted chat - Reliable guard to keep texts safe Texting from any system/device with 'Anywhere' Cloud backup - never worry about long texts again Lots of Stickers, emojis, and gifs to choose from Wear OS device support(Dependent on phone app) Group or mass texts to multiple recipients Support for foldables, like Samsung fold Support for most android versions (4.4 to 13) and Lineage OS 19 Dual SIM support
Security For every update, it'll be scanned with *VirualTotal* 60+ mainstream anti-virus engines to make sure it's safe. Protecting data privacy is our top priority. Conversations now can be encrypted as per your need
AI features -Detects sensitive information and suggests masking options. -Extract, copy, search, and share text from images -Generate descriptive text for photos -Summary of recent conversations -Grammar & Spell Check: Ensure your messages are clear and error-free -AI Emoji Suggestions -AI Auto-Reply
Messenger Customization The theme store offers over 200 themes with new ones updated weekly. You can personalize fonts, stickers, colors, ringtones, LED colors, vibration patterns, etc.
Handcent Anywhere - best private texting on computer and tablet. Cross-platform texting on all systems and device. Windows, Mac OS, Linux, iOS, android, computers, tablets, and smartwatches all have separate apps. You can text anywhere without the phone. Go to aw.handcent.com and start messaging. Group text is also supported Wear OS Receive and reply messages on all android-based smartwatches, with the features like voice to text, etc. Support Wear OS , Galaxy Watch series with Tizen and both square and round watches(Phone app needed, doesn't work as a standalone app)
MMS MMS is fast and stable, can receive all kinds of MMS messages and share full-size multimedia with MMS plus. MMS plus can act as a multimedia files downloader, and save them on the private cloud.
Pop up text Quick reply text messages within a pop up window.
Private Box An encrypted text message box that can only be opened by unique passcode. Texts within can only be viewed by yourself.
SMS Backup Never worry about losing texts or messages with our backup service. Restore all private messages (SMS/MMS) and settings when you switch to a new phone or reset the phone.
Search You can search text messages by time, message type and etc. All SMS messages with text are searchable
SMS Blocker/Blacklisting Block all unwanted or spam SMS & MMS messages in our private android text messaging app.
Spam filter Automatically filter and block potential spam messages
Scheduled Task Schedule texts to be sent at a given time.
Emoji You will love animated emojis that complies with the newest emoji standard.
Stickers Integrated with Giphy. Send messages with stickers by using quick search.
Drive mode Read texts or mute during drive to ensure driving safety with Android Auto support
Text to Speech Read texts out loud with support for repeated reminder
Sticky on top Pin your private contacts on top for quicker access
Other improvements. Built-in ChatGPT to let you talk to AI as a conversation thread Group Messaging Chat: Create a group with friends, all contacts will receive the message. Send mass texts with stickers to all members.
Other features: Bulk Mass SMS & MMS, group text, text snippets and etc.
If you encounter any problems or need help, please reach us at help@handcent.com. We will provide help in a timely manner.
Recent changes: Release note 11.10.2
>Upgraded the TTS support >Improved One UI 8.5 support >Improved Android 17 support
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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
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