Samsung Galaxy S4: How to Block Unwanted or Unknown Text Messages

I believe most of phone's users have been choosing a message as one of their favourite method to communicate with others. That's why no wonder if most of smartphones available today--including with the Samsung Galaxy SIV--have provided the stock Messaging app for their users, so the user will be more easier if they want to send or receive a message in their phone without having to install the app first.

See also: How to Create and Send SMS or MMS in the Samsung Galaxy S4

Aside from sending and receiving a message, the stock Messaging app also allows you to block text messages from certain contact matches with the criteria you've specified before, block text messages contain with certain phrase as well as block text messages from unknown senders. This of course will help you to keep your inbox clean from those unwanted or unknown text messages.

How to add or remove a contact in the spam number list?
If you wish to block or unblock text message from certain contact, you can do so by following the step below:

1. Open Messaging app.
2. Tap the Menu key then select Settings.
3. Scroll down to the Spam message settings section.
4. Tick the box next to Spam settings to enable block text message feature.
5. Tap Add to spam numbers.
6. Tap Add button.
7. Tap Match criteria. Here you'll see four options available, they are:
• Exactly the same as: this option allows you to enter the full phone number you wish to block.
• Starts with: this option allows you to enter the beginning of the phone number you wish to block.
• Ends with: this option allows you to enter the end of the phone number you wish to block.
• Includes: this option allows you to enter a part of the phone number you wish to block.
8. Type the phone number in the Enter number field according to the match criteria you've just selected. Or, tap the Contact icon to pick up the desired contact you wish to block from Logs or Contacts app.
9. Tap Save button.
10. All phone numbers and criteria you have added will be listed below the Add button.
11. To unblock blocked phone number or criteria, long tap the desired phone number or criteria and then select Delete. This will remove the selected blocked number or criteria from the spam number list.

How to add or remove a phrases in the spam phrase list?
If you wish to block text messages contain certain phrase, you can do so by following the step below:

1. Open Messaging app.
2. Tap the Menu key then select Settings.
3. Scroll down to the Spam message settings section.
4. Tick the box next to Spam settings to enable block text message feature.
5. Tap Add to spam phrases.
6. Tap Add button.
7. Enter a phrase you wish to block in the Enter text field. FYI, it's a case sensitive so it'll different if you type "Dear" with "dear".
8. Tap Save button followed by tapping OK button to confirm.
9. All blocked phrases will be listed below the Add button.
10. To unblock blocked phrase, long tap the desired phrase and then select Delete. This will remove the selected phrase from the spam phrase list.

How to block text message from unknown sender?
If you wish to block text message from contacts you haven't added to your Contacts app, you can do so by following the step below:

1. Open Messaging app.
2. Tap the Menu key then select Settings.
3. Scroll down to the Spam message settings section.
4. Tick the box next to Spam settings to enable block text message feature.
5. Tick the box next to Block unknown senders.

How to see all blocked messages?
Below are the step to do so:

1. Open Messaging app.
2. Tap the Menu key then select Spam messages. All blocked messages will be displayed here.

FYI, you won't receive a notification or message tone when a blocked message is received. They will be redirected to the spam message folder so your inbox will stay clean and you won't lose any received message. But, if you wish to block text messages without log, I believe that there's should be an app available in the Google Play Store which has a feature to do so.

Samsung Galaxy S4: How to Delete Old Messages Automatically

For those of you who often communicate with others using text or multimedia messages surely ever find your inbox is fully loaded and it brings you some difficulties to organize them. This situation often be the reason of the Samsung Galaxy SIV users to delete their old messages to tidy up their inbox as well as to free up some spaces in their phone. In the stock Messaging app, you're allowed to delete messages under particular thread or even deleting the threads itself.

See also: How to Delete Messages in the Samsung Galaxy S4

Aside from deleting messages manually, you can also set this app to automatically delete the old messages when they reach the limit you have specified before. This of course will be able to help you manage your messages and keep your inbox contains with the newest messages.

How to auto-delete old SMS or MMS?
Below are the steps to do so:

1. Open Messaging app.
2. Tap the Menu key then select Settings.
3. Check the box next to Delete old messages option to enable auto-delete old messages feature.
4. To set a limit for text message go to the step #5, while to set a limit for multimedia message go to the step #6.
5. Set a limit for SMS:
• Tap Text message limit.
• By default, the stock Messaging app limits the text message up to 200 messages per conversation. If you wish to adjust the limit to suit your need, you can do so by tapping the Up arrow icon to increase the limit or tap the Down arrow icon to decrease the limit.
• Tap OK button.
• Now, the Messaging app will delete old messages automatically if the messages in the particular thread reaches a specified limit. For instance, when you set text message limit to 250, then when a thread has more than 250 text messages, the old message will be deleted automatically or in other word a single thread only allowed contains 250 new text messages.
6. Set limit for MMS:
• Tap Multimedia message limit.
• By default, the stock Messaging app limits the multimedia message up to 20 messages per conversation. If you wish to adjust the limit to suit your need, you can do so by tapping the Up arrow icon to increase the limit or tap the Down arrow icon to decrease the limit.
• Tap OK button.
• Now, the Messaging app will delete old messages automatically if the multimedia messages in the particular thread reaches a specified limit. For instance, when you set multimedia message limit to 30, then when a thread has more than 30 multimedia messages, the old message will be deleted automatically or in other word a single thread only allowed contains 30 new multimedia messages.

As a note, if you often receive important messages, that will be better if you periodically backup your messages to avoid losing your important messages. Well, hope this helps :)

Samsung Galaxy S4: How to View, Reply and Forward Text Messages

The stock Messaging app is one of pre-installed app which has provided in the Samsung Galaxy SIV to facilitate their users to communicate with others by using text messages or multimedia messages. Despite of the flaws of this app, I personally prefer to use the stock Messaging app--and the other stock apps--because they usually ads-free and we can directly use them without having to install them first.

See also: How to Create and Send SMS or MMS in the Samsung Galaxy S4

Aside from sending messages, you can also receive text messages or multimedia messages by using Messaging app. You'll be informed if you have an incoming message with a new message icon (closed envelope icon) displayed in the status bar. Well, there are some options available when you have an incoming text message, such as read the message, reply the message to the original sender or forward the message to another contacts.

How to view a text message?
There are 2 ways that you can do to open your new incoming text message:

1. From the notification panel.
   Swipe the top of the screen to the bottom and then tap the notification of a new text message to open it.
2. From Messaging app.
• Open Messaging app.
• A new incoming text message from certain contact will be displayed at the top of the conversation list and labelled with number of new incoming messages.
• Tap the conversation to open it.
• The newest text message from the selected sender will be displayed at the bottom of the conversation.

How to reply a text message?
If you want to reply the message to the original sender, then you can do so by following the steps below:

1. Open Messaging app.
2. Tap the desired text message you wish to reply.
3. Enter your message in the Enter message field.
4. If necessary, you can attach file into your message by tapping the Attachment button, select file type and select the file you wish to attach.
5. Tap Send button to send your reply.

How to forward a text message?
To forward a text message to another contact, kindly follow the steps below:

1. Open Messaging app.
2. Tap the desired text message you wish to forward.
3. Long tap the desired bubble text message you wish to forward.
4. In the Message options menu select Forward.
5. Enter the contact's name or number in the Enter recipient field. All matching contacts will be show up, tap the desired one. Or, tap Contact icon to pick up the desired contact you wish to send a message with from Contact app.
6. If necessary, you can add your own message by typing it in the Enter message field.
7. If necessary, you can also attach files into your message by tapping the Attachment button, select file type and select the file you wish to attach.
8. Tap Send button to forward the message.

By knowing the available options when you have an incoming text message, now you can easily read the message then if necessary you can reply it or even forward it to the desired contact as your wish.

Samsung Galaxy S4: How to Send, View and Customize Scheduled Messages

I believe that most of us are agree that sending messages uses the stock Messaging app is the favourite method commonly used by the Samsung Galaxy SIV users to communicate with others because they're able to use it directly without having to install it first. By using this app, you're allowed to send or receive text or multimedia messages.

See also: How to Create and Send SMS or MMS in the Samsung Galaxy S4

With this app, you're even allowed to schedule the message. If you like me, this feature has helped me a lot to send a "happy birthday" message to my friends right in the middle of the night when I was sleeping tight. I can create the message and then schedule it to be sent at certain date/time as I wish.

How to create and send a scheduled message?
Below are the steps to do so:

1. Open Messaging app.
2. Tap Create new message icon to compose new message.
3. Enter the contact's name or number in the Enter recipient field. All matching contacts will be show up, tap the desired one. Or, tap Contact icon to pick up the desired contact you wish to send a message with from Contacts app.
4. Type your message in the Enter message field.
5. If necessary, you can also attach files into your message by tapping the Attachment button , select a file type and then select the file you wish to attach.
6. Tap the Menu key then select Scheduling.
7. Tap the Date box and then tap the Up or Down arrow icon to adjust the date and then tap Set button.
8. Tap the Time box and then tap the Up or Down arrow icon to adjust the time and then tap Set button.
9. Tap Done button.
10. Tap Send scheduling message button.
11. The message will be labelled as scheduled message and will be sent at the date and time you have specified before.

How to view and customize a scheduled message?
Below are the steps to view all scheduled messages and see the available options to customize them:

1. To view all of your scheduled messages, while you're in the Messaging app, tap the Menu key then select Scheduled messages. All of your scheduled messages will be displayed here.
2. Long tap the desired scheduled message to bring up the options, such as:
• Send now: select this option to send the selected scheduled message right now.
• Cancel message: select this option to cancel and delete the selected scheduled message.
• Copy: select this option to copy scheduled message to the clipboard.
• Forward: select this option to forward the selected scheduled message.
• Lock: select this option to lock the selected scheduled message.
• Edit message: select this option to edit the selected scheduled message.
• View message details: select this option to see the details of a message, such as type, recipient number, and sent date/time.

By using scheduled message feature, now you can create a message and set the phone to send it to the certain contact at the specified date/time.

Samsung Galaxy S4: How to Delete Messages

Samsung Galaxy SIV has provided some apps as pre-installed apps to meet the basic needs of their user. One of which is the stock Messaging app which you can use to send or receive messages, either text messages or multimedia messages.

See also: How to Create and Send SMS or MMS on Samsung Galaxy S4

While you're using the Messaging app, for any reason you may want to delete messages or threads, for instance to free up some space, to remove some old messages, etc. Luckily, you can do so with ease, either to remove messages under particular thread or even removing the thread itself.

How to delete text or multimedia messages in particular conversation or thread?
If you wish to delete individual message from certain contact, then you can do so by following the steps below:

1. Open Messaging app.
2. Tap the message thread from the contact you wish to delete.
3. To delete a single message go to the step #4, while to delete multiple or all messages go to the step #5.
4. Delete a single message:
• Long tap the message you wish to delete.
• In the Message options menu select Delete.
• Tap OK button to confirm.
• The selected message will be deleted.
5. Delete multiple or all messages:
• Tap the Trash can icon at the top of the screen. The checkbox will be appear in each the message.
• Tick the box next to the desired message you wish to delete, or tick the box next to Select all option to select all messages.
• Tap Delete button.
• Tap OK button to confirm.
• The selected messages will be deleted.

How to delete thread or conversation?
If you wish to delete message thread or conversation, then you can do so by following the steps below:

1. Open Messaging app.
2. To delete a single thread or conversation go to the step #3, while to delete multiple or all threads go to the step #4.
3. Delete a single thread:
• Long tap the desired thread or conversation you wish to delete.
• In the pop up menu select Delete.
• Tap OK button to confirm.
• The selected thread will be deleted.
4. Delete multiple or all threads:
• Tap the Menu key then select Delete threads. The checkbox will appear in each thread.
• Tick the box next to the desired thread or conversation you wish to delete, or tick the checkbox next to Select all option to select all threads.
• Tap Delete button.
• Tap OK to confirm.
• The selected threads will be deleted.

If you're like me, I often delete some messages or threads to clean up them as well as to free up some space in my phone. Well, I hope it'll help :)

Samsung Galaxy S4: How to Change Message Tone with Three Easy Ways

I believe that send a message has been being one of the most favourite way to communicate with others for most of phone's user, including with the Samsung Galaxy SIV users. That's why, this phone has included the stock Messaging app as one of pre-installed app in order to facilitate their user when they want to send a message. With this app, you're allowed to send text message or multimedia message.

See also: How to Create and Send SMS or MMS in the Samsung Galaxy S4

Aside from sending messages, the stock Messaging app also allows you to receive incoming messages, either text or multimedia messages. To make you more easier to know that you have incoming message, you can change the message tone as your wish. In this phone, you're allowed to assign default message tone for all incoming messages as well as assigning different message tone for certain contact.


How to change message tone?
For the record, make sure your phone is not being in the silent mode. Well, generally, there are 3 methods available that you can use to change message tone as listed below.

Method #1: From the Settings menu
By default, Messaging app is using the value of the default notification sound as message tone. So, if you have not changed the settings in the Messaging app and assigned individual message tone in particular contact, then you can use the steps below to change the message tone for all incoming messages:

1. Go to Settings.
2. Tap My device tab.
3. Tap Sound.
4. Tap Default Notification sound.
5. Select the desired message tone from the list.
6. Tap OK button.
7. The default notification sound has changed.

Method #2: From the Messaging app
Use this method if you wish to use different message tone from the default notification sound for all incoming messages, but it'll not applied for the particular contact that have assigned for individual message tone. Well, below the steps to change the message tone from the Messaging app:

1. Open Messaging app.
2. Tap the Menu key and then select Settings.
3. Scroll down to find Notification settings section.
4. Tick the box next to Notifications to enable this option. Enable this option will make the phone play sound and show icon in status bar when you receive a new message.
5. Tap Select ringtone.
6. By default, the phone uses default ringtone which mean the Messaging app will use the ringtone you have assigned in the default notification sound as mentioned in method #1. If you wish to use different message tone, you can do so by selecting the desired message tone you wish to use from the list.
7. Tap OK button.
8. The Message tone has changed.

Method #3: From the Contacts app
Use this method if you wish to use different message tone for the particular contact. Below are the steps to assign message tone for particular contact:

1. Open Contacts.
2. Tap the desired contact you wish to change its message tone.
3. Tap Edit button.
4. Scroll down to find Message alert, and then tap it.
5. By default, the Contacts app uses default ringtone which means when you receive a new message from the contacts listed in the Contacts app, the phone will play sound you have assigned in the default notification sound as mentioned in method #1. If you wish to use different message tone for the selected contact, you can do so by selecting the desired message tone you wish to use from the list.
6. Tap OK button.
7. Tap Save button.
8. The different ringtone has assigned in the selected contact.

By knowing these steps, now you can assign the message tone for incoming messages from all contacts or from particular contact.

Samsung Galaxy S4: How to Create and Send SMS or MMS

Making a call is the most common method used by the phone's user to communicate with others. That's why, no wonder if most of smartphone including with the Samsung Galaxy SIV has provided Phone app and Contacts app as pre-installed apps to facilitate their users when they want to make a call.

See also: How to Make a Call in Samsung Galaxy S4

Aside from making calls, sending messages is another common method that is widely used to communicate with others by using the phone. Luckily, Samsung Galaxy SIV has also provided the stock Messaging app to allow the user to send text messages or multimedia messages.

How to send a text message?
FYI, by default this app will convert long message into the multimedia message. Well, below are the steps to create and send SMS:

1. Open Messaging app.
2. Tap Create new message icon to create new text message.
3. Enter the contact's name or number in the Enter recipient field. All matching contacts will be show up, tap the desired one. Or, tap Contact icon to pick up the desired contact you wish to send a message with from Contacts app.
4. Type your message in the Enter message field.
5. Tap Send button to send your message.

How to send multimedia message?
Multimedia message or commonly called as MMS will allow you to attach non-text file into your message. You need to turn on mobile data on your phone to make it works. Well, here are the steps to create and send MMS:

1. Open Messaging app.
2. If necessary, tap the Menu key then select Settings. Make sure you have turned on Auto-retrieve option under Multimedia message (MMS) settings section.
3. Tap the Back key.
4. Tap Create new message icon to create new text message.
5. Enter the contact's name or number in the Enter recipient field. All matching contacts will be show up, tap the desired one. Or, tap Contact icon to pick up the desired contact you wish to send a message with from Contacts app.
6. Type your message in the Enter message field.
7. Tap Attachment buttonto attach file into your message. There are some options available, such as:
• S Memo: choose this option to attach memo.
• Image: choose this option to attach picture.
• Take picture: choose this option to take a picture by using Camera app and then attach the result into your message.
• Video: choose this option to attach video file.
• Record video: choose this option to record a video by using Camera app and then attach the result into your message.
• Audio: choose this option to attach sound file.
• Record audio: choose this option to record audio using Voice recorder app and then attach the result into your message.
• S Planner: choose this option to attach S Planner event as .vcs file into the message.
• Location: choose this option to attach your location.
• Contacts: choose this option to pickup contact from Contacts app and then attach it into the message.
8. Tap the desired file type you wish to attach and then select the file.
9. The selected file will be attached to the message.
10. Tap Send button to send your message.

For the record, given the settings of MMS is different between each provider, make sure you have entered the settings correctly. You can call your provider to ask them the right configuration.