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Help Can Textra text to non-users?

Hey, I recently have been thinking about switching from an iPhone 8 to a OnePlus 5t. When doing research I found that not a lot of people like the stock messaging app for Android phones and that they use other messaging apps such as WhatsApp or Allo. When I found out about Textra I couldn't believe the customization options, I thought it was perfect for me. That being said I was wondering if Textra lets you text to people who do not use Textra. For example, I want to text my friend who has an Android/iPhone but does not have Textra. Would I still be able to text them or would they need to download Textra?
 
In case it's you want to try other apps in future, the principle is very simple: SMS/MMS work the same no matter what app you use, whereas internet-based services (Messenger, WhatsApp, Telegram, iMessage) require both parties to have the same app. So you can use any SMS app you want.

Do sign out of iMessage before switching though. iMessage can send standard messages (SMS or MMS) to phones that are not on iMessage, but if your number is listed as being signed in it will continue to use iMessage format, which only Apple devices can receive. So if you leave it signed in you won't receive messages from IPhone users.

(There is now a way of signing out using the web if you forget. There wasn't for a long time though, and it took legal action to make Apple provide it).
 
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