How to use Android's built-in SMS Backup Many phones (including Pixel phones) have a built-in automatic SMS backup, courtesy of Google, in the messaging app.

Jason Cipriani/CNET For those Android users lucky enough to have already received Android 4.4 KitKat on their preferred device, changing the default SMS app is possible, but very hidden.

Android's default messaging app offers no options to block incoming SMS texts, but you can install a third-party app such as smsBlocker to block incoming messages from certain numbers.

SMS spam is proliferating fast, but your phone's settings or a handy app can help stem the tide.

Jack Wallen shows you how to revert KitKat 4.4 back to the standard SMS client to handle your SMS chats.

Jack Wallen shows you how easy it is to block and report spam SMS messages on the Android platform.

Your Android's Do Not Disturb mode can silence notifications, alerts, phone calls, and text messages when you want to tune out your phone.