Z3 / Z3 Compact Chat service disappeared in Messaging App

[RailwaySteeven]

Hi there. Since the latest lolly update, the "chat service" has disappeared as an option from the stock messaging app. The one where your texts were coloured yellow if they were being sent over the internet rather than an SMS. This is very frustrating, as I was just extolling the virtues of this feature to my wife who has the Z3C, I have the Z3. She raves about What'sApp you see. Now "Chat" is gone! It's not even in the settings menu as "enable chat service" anymore... Have deleted data from app etc to no avail. Any ideas folks? Many thanks. It has gone from both our 'phones BTW.

[Uliwooly]

@RailwaySteeven

What do you mean Chat service? is or was your phone network branded/locked to a carrier? was it the preloaded messaging app or another app?

[Phy]

Have you consider this app

Google Messenger 

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.google.android.apps.messaging&hl=en

[RailwaySteeven]

Hi thanks for the reply. Until recently, when texting another person running Lollipop, you had the option in the standard messaging app to "switch to chat" as opposed to SMS. If available, the other persons texts would change to yellow. You could then send pictures, etc over the internet rather than pay for MMS. Now it has gone off my Z3 and my wife's Z3C, but my friend still has it on his HTCM8.

Until even more recently, you had an extended menu in the Messaging settings, to "enable chat service" - now this too has gone....?

[RailwaySteeven]

Hi - Thanks. Had a brief look at this but didn't want to install anything else until I found if I could resolve my disappearing stock chat service! BTW has Google messenger got data transfer across the internet not just another MMS proxy?

[RailwaySteeven]

Hi. We're on Vodafone. The stock messaging app had chat service as an option. Now it's gone!

[RailwaySteeven]

Just noticed something else weird, looking back in my texting history, where it has the date under each text, it also said "Sms sent" or "Chat sent" now, all this has disappeared along with the photo's, video's and audio files I sent via the elusive "Chat Service" - is someone winding me up here? Gonna text my mate now with his HTC M8 - see if his chat service is still working. I thought it was just an Android thing...

[RailwaySteeven]

OK, the version of the Messaging app we both have is 28.1.A.1.4. Wife's Z3C still shows SMS after each text, and settings screen shown the Chat Service options. Mine doesn't! Here, have a look...

 My wife's Z3C

 My Z3

Both running latest Lollipop and same build of Messenger?

[Uliwooly]

Ok, I haven't seen this option, most likely it was a Vodafone app, you have to contact them as its up to them to add apps, bloatware and release the update, not Sony.

[RailwaySteeven]

Thanks but it's definitely not a Voda app. The Voda Messenger is a separate app available as a download from the Playstore. This is the stock Sony / Android Messenger app that ships with the device. http://m.aptoide.com/list/versions/com.sonyericsson.conversations/57018369