How to Make Your Android Phone's Messages Look Like an iPhone
By Ashley Poland
Nearly anything goes when you use Android -- even if your end goal is to make your Android phone look like an iPhone. Several developers have created SMS apps that look and even behave like an iPhone. Since the Android Messaging app doesn't support themes, you have to use an SMS replacement application to use an iPhone-like text messaging theme. Messaging replacements install easily, and come from the Google Play store -- so you don't need to do any sort of software modifications to change your default texting app.
Step 1
Choose the SMS application you would prefer to use. Go SMS Pro and Handcent are both free and allow you to change your theme at a moment's notice. iPhone Messages and Hi SMS are both standalone applications that mimic the look of texts on the iPhone without offering any additional themes. (Links in Resources.)
Step 2
Install the application from the Google Play store. You don't need root access to install these applications. They will open like any other application once the installation is complete.
Step 3
Disable notifications in the settings of Android's default Messaging app. This will stop you from getting duplicate notifications from both your original app and your replacement application. You cannot delete the Messaging app from your phone.
Step 4
Download an iPhone SMS theme for your SMS replacement app, if you choose to go with Go SMS Pro or Handcent. If you want messages that resemble iOS 6, the theme "GO SMS Pro Iphone Theme" is free and mimics the look of iOS 6 text messages. If you want a theme that looks like iOS 7 messages, consider the premium theme "iOS 7 iPhone Go SMS Theme." Handcent offers an iOS 7 theme called "Handcent 5 Skin iOS7." These themes are all available from the Google Play store; you install them like any other app by clicking the "Install" button. (Links in Resources.)
Step 5
Open your SMS application and set up the themes (if applicable) and notification settings that you prefer. Apps will offer the same basic settings, such as notifications; most will also offer pop-up notification settings. Advanced settings, such as privacy modes and sending scheduled SMS, vary between applications. Play around to see what works best for you.
References
Warnings
- Not all SMS replacement applications and themes are free.
Writer Bio
Ashley Poland has been writing since 2009. She has worked with local online businesses, supplying print and web content, and pursues an active interest in the computer, technology and gaming industries. In addition to content writing, Poland is also a fiction writer. She studied creative writing at Kansas State University.