Google reveals Android 4.4 KitKat will require an SMS app set as default

Google today revealed that Android 4.4 (KitKat) will introduce the concept of a default SMS app, which the user can select in system settings. Furthermore, the new version will make existing APIs public so that developers don’t have to worry about losing them.

Google notes that many Android app developers have built SMS apps using hidden APIs. Google tries to discourage this practice since hidden APIs can change or be removed, and new devices are not tested against them for compatibility. As such, with Android 4.4, Google will try to bring all SMS apps onto the same page.

Here are some of the points you have to keep in mind if you’re a developer:

• When your app is not currently selected as the default SMS app, it’s important that you disable the ability to send new messages from your app because, without the ability to write to the SMS Provider, any messages you send won’t be visible in the user’s default SMS app.
• To enable your app to send and receive messages, you can display a dialog hosted by the system that allows the user to make your app the default SMS app.

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