Yoodley is reader-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.
If you are here, you probably noticed com.android.mms in Google activity’s used apps, and now you want to know everything related to this.
This article describes com.android.mms, and we have also covered how to fix “process com.android.mms has stopped unexpectedly” message issue.
What is MMS?
Before we start explaining what is com.android.mms. You need to understand what MMS is. Multimedia Messaging Service (MMS) is used to send and receive messages that include multimedia content. The service requires a data connection from the cellular network and does not work on Wi-Fi; the only mobile operating system that allows MMS over Wi-Fi is iOS.
com.android.mms Meaning?
com.android.mms is the Android package name of the default messaging app on your device. All Android apps have a unique package name to avoid conflicts, but that does not mean all stock messaging apps would have the same package name.
For example, the package name of Samsung’s stock messaging app is com.samsung.android.messaging, and the package name of MIUI Messaging, the native messaging app developed by Xiaomi for their devices, is com.android.mms.
The com.android.mms is completely safe, and if it’s not causing any issue, it’s better if you don’t focus on it.
Note: Multimedia Messaging Service (MMS) and short message service (SMS) are both handled by the same messaging app, so don’t get confused.
Issues Caused by This Package
A few years ago, Samsung’s messaging app (com.android.mms) had some issues with a third-party launcher called Citrix. That topic is irrelevant now, but there’s another issue that is still affecting users. We are talking about the “Sorry the application Message (process com.android.mms) has stopped unexpectedly”. If you are facing this stopping issue, you will not be able to read or send messages. In the next section, we have explained how you can fix it.
How to Fix “com.android.mms Has Stopped Unexpectedly” Message?
Below we have mentioned some solutions for fixing this; keep in mind first two methods are easier to perform and do not change your device settings or wipe data. In some cases, they may not work, so you will have to follow the steps mentioned in method number 4, which are slightly complicated for non-tech-savvy people.
Method 1: Restart Your Device
The first thing you should do is restart your device, it only takes a minute, and it does not change the settings as mentioned before.
- Press and hold the power button.
- Tap on the “Restart” button.
Your device will turn off and turn on automatically; once it’s on, try using the stock messaging and check if you see the issue or not.
Method 2: Delete All Messages and Clear Cache
Note: If some or all of your messages are important, you can skip deleting them and just clear the app cache.
Open the messaging app, long-press any message, and you will get the option to check multiple messages. Tap on All and then delete them.
Once you delete all the messages, go to Android Settings > Apps > Messaging app > Storage > Clear cache.
Method 3: Factory Reset Your Device
Note: Factory resetting will permanently wipe your device’s data, including downloaded apps. Before you factory reset, make sure you backup your device.
- Go to Settings.
- Tap on General management.
- Tap on the “Reset” option.
- Tap on “Factory data reset.”
- Scroll down, tap on the “Reset button,” and enter your password if required.
Method 4: Disable/Uninstall the Stock App and Download a Third-Party Messaging App
If factory resetting and clearing cache do not work, you can disable or uninstall the stock messaging app and download a third-party app like Google Messages and set it up as the default messaging app.
There are two ways to disable/uninstall the app: using a third-party app disabler (Requires root) or using Android Debug Bridge (ADB), a tool that lets you communicate with your device.
1) Using a Third Party Disabler App (Root Needed)
- Download and install System App Remover on your Android device.
- Launch the app, search for the Messaging app and select it.
- Now tap on the uninstall button.
2) Using Android Debug Bridge (ADB)
- Go to Settings > System > About phone.
- Keep tapping the build number until it activates Developer Options.
- Go back to the main settings screen and open Developer Options.
- Turn on USB debugging.
- Download ADB on your computer.
- Extract the ZIP file into a separate folder.
- When done, open that folder.
- Press and hold the shift button and right-click in a blank area.
- Click on “Open Powershell window here.”
- Enter adb devices command.
- Connect your Android device to the PC with a cable.
- Run the command adb shell pm uninstall –user 0 com.android.mms to permanently remove the app.
You can also disable the app instead of uninstalling it. Just replace “uninstall” with “disable” in the command mentioned above.
What to Do If Nothing Works?
If the first three methods do not work, the fourth one will definitely work, but if you don’t want to remove the stock messaging app, you can check for software updates and download if available. If there are no software updates, your last option would be flashing the stock firmware of your device.
All manufactures have a different process for flashing the stock firmware; you just have to download the files from your device model and flash them using a flashing software offered by your manufacturer. Keep in mind; if you can’t flash the firmware on your own, you can visit the authorized repair center and ask them to do it for you.
