I'm not familiar with Telegram other than it's popular in EU?

Why is it less frustrating for you?

It is the other way around - others are terrible pieces of software.

Telegram just works as it expected to. Perfect intuitive UX, flawless features execution, plenty of features both for basic and advanced hardcore users.

One of just few examples of software products that you can call great.

I downloaded Telegram and tried to use it, but it looks like it's not for SMS. More like a discord sort of thing. I'm trying to find a decent SMS app for Android. I don't think one exists anymore.

wdym "SMS"?

Which exact features you miss?

There is no better messaging app than telegram.

Also, as soon as I opened the app and got into it one of my contacts began messaging me. I don't know why or how they did it, but I then deleted the app.

sms is the messaging protocol typically used by phones. it's the default for text messages on android. mms is group message and rcs is another protocol. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SMS

Okay, I see.

Looks like you still new to this new generation of messaging apps.

They are far away from oldschool SMS -> they send messages over internet but connect people based on their contact lists (phone numbers users sign up with).

It seems like they want to turn your contacts list into a slack like messaging service. I don't want that. AIM was alright, I just need text messages.

I need a default SMS app for the OS. Telegram isn't listed as an option. So I can't modify the default.

Im curious what’s the point of looking for sms app if the format itself is very limited?

What is wrong with standard sms appa?

A default SMS app is required for Android. It's made by google.

Android is also made by google, soo?

Yes, but Android and it's derivatives are open source for the most part. Or at least based on open source technology.

Ideally, I can minimize my data exposure by limiting Google's access.