Filtering text messages on Android
February 14, 2024 9:45 AM Subscribe
Is there a way to automatically filter out text messages based on words in the message rather than by blocking the sender?
I have an Android phone (a Samsung s24 if that's relevant) and every time I get a voicemail message, I get two notifications about it -- a notification in the status bar of the phone and a text message that shows up in my messaging app (which is apparently Google Messages on this new phone). I like having voicemail, and I like having the status bar notification and I HATE THE TEXT MESSAGES WITH ALL THE FURY OF A THOUSAND TODDLERS WHO HAVE JUST BEEN TOLD THEY CANNOT EAT THE CAT.
I have asked both my carrier (Freedom mobile in Canada) and Samsung if those text messages can be turned off. Neither one of their support lines seems entirely certain who or what is generating the text messages, but also neither of them thinks they can be turned off unless I turn off voicemail entirely (which is extremely dumb!) so now I want to know if there is a way to make them go away in some automated way.
I can't block the sender, because the notification message appears as if it comes from whoever left me the voicemail. I don't want to block people from calling or texting me, just these stupid automated texts.
Is there a way to filter text messages and delete just messages (not the whole conversation, because see above re: coming from the person who called me) that contain the phrase "new voicemail waiting"?
Right now, my phone is using Google Messages to manage SMS because that's what came pre-installed but if it is possible to switch to a different text messaging app that would give me this feature I would be willing to do so.
If there are other alternatives that would allow me to not get those specific text messages please feel free to also suggest those.
I have an Android phone (a Samsung s24 if that's relevant) and every time I get a voicemail message, I get two notifications about it -- a notification in the status bar of the phone and a text message that shows up in my messaging app (which is apparently Google Messages on this new phone). I like having voicemail, and I like having the status bar notification and I HATE THE TEXT MESSAGES WITH ALL THE FURY OF A THOUSAND TODDLERS WHO HAVE JUST BEEN TOLD THEY CANNOT EAT THE CAT.
I have asked both my carrier (Freedom mobile in Canada) and Samsung if those text messages can be turned off. Neither one of their support lines seems entirely certain who or what is generating the text messages, but also neither of them thinks they can be turned off unless I turn off voicemail entirely (which is extremely dumb!) so now I want to know if there is a way to make them go away in some automated way.
I can't block the sender, because the notification message appears as if it comes from whoever left me the voicemail. I don't want to block people from calling or texting me, just these stupid automated texts.
Is there a way to filter text messages and delete just messages (not the whole conversation, because see above re: coming from the person who called me) that contain the phrase "new voicemail waiting"?
Right now, my phone is using Google Messages to manage SMS because that's what came pre-installed but if it is possible to switch to a different text messaging app that would give me this feature I would be willing to do so.
If there are other alternatives that would allow me to not get those specific text messages please feel free to also suggest those.
Response by poster: It does not include a transcript of the voicemail. That would be actually useful and I would like that but this is not that.
It is not possible to turn off all notifications for voicemail -- the option to do so is greyed out in settings.
posted by jacquilynne at 10:26 AM on February 14
It is not possible to turn off all notifications for voicemail -- the option to do so is greyed out in settings.
posted by jacquilynne at 10:26 AM on February 14
This is bugging me now. I suppose you saw this or tried it, but maybe not. I found this in my Pixel tips and help part of settings. This is to change notifications by the app. Apologies if it is not applicable or already tried.
Option 1: In your Settings app
Open your device's Settings app.
Tap Notifications and then App settings.
Under "Most recent," find apps that recently sent you notifications.
To find more apps, in the dropdown menu, tap All apps.
Tap the app.
Turn the app's notifications on or off.
You can turn off all notifications for a listed app or choose from specific categories.
Option 2: On a notification
To find your notifications, from the top of your screen, swipe down.
Touch and hold the notification, and then tap Settings .
Choose your settings:
To turn off all notifications, turn off All notifications.
Turn on or off notifications you want to receive.
To allow notification dots, turn on Allow notification dot.
Option 3: In the certain app
You can control many app notifications from a settings menu in the app. For example, an app could have a setting to choose the sound that app's notifications make. To make these changes, open the app and search for the settings menu.
posted by JohnnyGunn at 11:09 AM on February 14 [1 favorite]
Option 1: In your Settings app
Open your device's Settings app.
Tap Notifications and then App settings.
Under "Most recent," find apps that recently sent you notifications.
To find more apps, in the dropdown menu, tap All apps.
Tap the app.
Turn the app's notifications on or off.
You can turn off all notifications for a listed app or choose from specific categories.
Option 2: On a notification
To find your notifications, from the top of your screen, swipe down.
Touch and hold the notification, and then tap Settings .
Choose your settings:
To turn off all notifications, turn off All notifications.
Turn on or off notifications you want to receive.
To allow notification dots, turn on Allow notification dot.
Option 3: In the certain app
You can control many app notifications from a settings menu in the app. For example, an app could have a setting to choose the sound that app's notifications make. To make these changes, open the app and search for the settings menu.
posted by JohnnyGunn at 11:09 AM on February 14 [1 favorite]
I manged to get rid of this on a tmobile samsung phone. There was some very generic app that I had to disable that was entitled simply t mobile. Could be the same program but different name. It wasn't tmobile device manager though. Anywho, it didn't break anything and my problem was solved.
posted by AlexiaSky at 2:19 PM on February 14
posted by AlexiaSky at 2:19 PM on February 14
Still thinking about this. In the Messages app, go to Settings, then Voice Message Transcription. You should be able to turn on transcription. That might be useful and it might also me the only text you get instead of "new VM waiting" bs.
(Since I am running a Pixel 6 Pro and you the new Samsung S24, we are running different versions of Android. Samsung makes alterations to it for their purposes. I have seen them add extra features and settings as well as bork existing ones. Maybe try to post on an XDA forum? Here is the Samsung subforums.)
posted by JohnnyGunn at 2:20 PM on February 14
(Since I am running a Pixel 6 Pro and you the new Samsung S24, we are running different versions of Android. Samsung makes alterations to it for their purposes. I have seen them add extra features and settings as well as bork existing ones. Maybe try to post on an XDA forum? Here is the Samsung subforums.)
posted by JohnnyGunn at 2:20 PM on February 14
FWIW, Key Messages will block SMS based on content (and other filters)
posted by kschang at 2:33 PM on February 14
posted by kschang at 2:33 PM on February 14
I had this problem on my older A series Samsung phone. It was maddening because my mobile plan charges for texts. So, if the voicemail turned out to be spam I could get double-charged for the annoyance.
What worked for me was to remove all permissions on the stock Messages app. Then I installed another SMS app and made it the default for SMS. I had to leave notifications on for both apps or no text notifications would appear.
Now I only receive notifications for the alternate SMS app I use instead of Messages. I no longer receive text messages for voicemail, and I can block text messages from specific phone numbers as needed.
posted by fuse theorem at 6:20 PM on February 14
What worked for me was to remove all permissions on the stock Messages app. Then I installed another SMS app and made it the default for SMS. I had to leave notifications on for both apps or no text notifications would appear.
Now I only receive notifications for the alternate SMS app I use instead of Messages. I no longer receive text messages for voicemail, and I can block text messages from specific phone numbers as needed.
posted by fuse theorem at 6:20 PM on February 14
You are not logged in, either login or create an account to post comments
Perhaps turning off notifications for voicemails and that would then leave you with a missed call notification in the status bar?
posted by JohnnyGunn at 10:16 AM on February 14