Hacker Newsnew | past | comments | ask | show | jobs | submitlogin

Defaults matter. While I've gotten some of my friends and family members to install and use Signal, I still have more chats via SMS/MMS (and more recently RCS, since Apple finally started supporting it) than I do on all other messaging apps combined.



Where (and why) is that?

I'm from Chile, and the last time I sent an SMS (or heard of anyone sending an SMS) must have been like 12 years ago.

Ever since then, everyone has used Whatsapp or Telegram instead.


Probably the US. SMS, MMS, and now RCS are still ubiquitous there – and only there, as far as I know.


If you decline to use WhatsApp you need to use SMS for a lot of contacts in Germany. Or RCS since the latest iOS update.


in NA, SMS is still dominant. Eu+Sa+india use whatsapp, china/japan have their own apps


This is likely to differ greatly by demographic. I don’t know literally anyone who uses SMS/MMS. The only SMS message I’ve received in years are automated services/spam.




Consider applying for YC's Fall 2025 batch! Applications are open till Aug 4

Guidelines | FAQ | Lists | API | Security | Legal | Apply to YC | Contact

Search: