reTXT is a new Android app that wants to simplify text messaging as well as upgrade it for the 21st century. You could think of reTXT as an app to replace both your instant messenger as well as your SMS app, as it functions like a combination of both of them. reTXT is both cross-platform, so your iOS friends can join the party as well as being safe and secure thanks to end-to-end encryption, protecting your privacy and precious data. Designed to be fresh and modern, reTXT features smart additions such as the ability to edit or even delete a message before the recipient has viewed it, making it easy to correct yourself or just take something back you might have said in haste. Elsewhere, there’s a clean and simple interface that allows for the sharing of photos, media and links there and then from the toolbar and it’s super-easy to invite your friends as well.
To get started, all you need to do is download reTXT from the Play Store, and you’ll be introduced to the black and yellow world of reTXT.
You’ll need to either sign up or sign in with an account, thankfully setting one up is real easy, and you can do so with just your phone number or email address. This is not a lengthy processor and only really needs a quick verification pin to be sent to you.
Once you have your account setup, it’s a good idea to go ahead and invite some friends, otherwise there’s not going to be anyone to talk to!
The conversation view is relatively spartan in reTXT, but if it wasn’t obvious until now, reTXT is designed to be modern and well, cool.
Despite this approach though, sending more than just text is perfectly easy with reTXT and can be done using the neat toolbar before you get typing.
Pictures appear inline without any fanfare whatsoever, which is actually a nice feature; the less that goes on when it comes to images and such the cleaner the whole conversation looks.
With reTXT, key features like being able to edit a message are the main attraction though. So, for instance if I meant to say specifically Saturday in the message below, I can just swipe it and then hit the pencil.
You’ll notice that there’s a red minus there as well, that’s because I can easily delete this message if I wanted to. Moreover, I can also swipe left to send a signal to others in the chat to ‘clarify’ exactly what a message means, it’ll then be rendered with a question mark next to it.
Here, I’ve only been testing reTXT with one person, but the app handles group messaging brilliantly, too. You can even leave and then rejoin a chat when it’s best for you.
reTXT is a messenger built for the younger generation, that much is made clear by the stark black and yellow look and feel, but the overall approach and attitude of the app is also for those of a younger disposition. This is not a complaint, after all a young person such as myself spends more time sending bits of text than I do on the phone, the problem here is that most of my friends are stuck on WhatsApp and they’re unlikely to move away from it any time soon. So, I’m stuck with an excellent app in the form of reTXT that faces the same problem as every other new messaging app; getting people to join in. There’s no reason not to of course, with end-to-end encryption keeping things safe and a raft of features that can save you headaches, like editing and deleting messages, to a swift and speedy performance everyday.
Ratings
- Speed (4/5) – This is a quick app, and while it’s not lightning-fast there are no performance problems that I came across.
- Theme (4/5) – I like the look and feel of reTXT, it’s modern and sharp, without being entirely over-the-top in this regard. Definitely for the younger text messengers out, reTXT is a modern-looking and feeling app.
- Features (4.5/5) – With end-to-end encryption as standard, the ability to edit or recall messages and every other box ticked, reTXT has everything you could want in a messaging app – especially one that’s free.
- Overall (4/5) – A great addition to the raft of other instant messaging apps available on Android, reTXT is fresh and modern, the only problem will be getting others to use it as you do. As an incentive, reTXT is giving away $1,000 if you invite 3 friends (check out @retxt for more info)
Pros
- Encryption as a standard, no-brainer feature means reTXT ‘gets’ modern communication.
- Sending images and other attachments is super-easy and they appear inline without any fuss.
- Allows users to delete messages before they are viewed, saving headaches and fall outs.
- Edit messages to correct yourself, send the right number instead of the wrong number.
Cons
- Just as with other messaging apps, it will prove difficult to get your friends to swap to reTXT en mass.
- Better explanation of how exactly deleting and editing works for those on the other end would be helpful.
reTXT is an app that many should simply try out; grab a friend and have fun with the new features the app has to offer. Sure, it’s not the most attractive app out there, but reTXT has a lot on offer and it can only get better from here. With encryption as standard, the ability to correct yourself or even quickly delete a message you sent in error, there’s a lot going on here.