Link Safe

Most of us have given our number to sign up for a product or service only to regret the decision when we’re bombarded by spam texts. Thankfully, Google’s free Messenger app lets you block message notifications from nuisance numbers. After blocking the number, all your existing messages from it will be moved to the Archived section within the app.

Install the free Messenger app (bit.ly/Messngr) and follow the onscreen instructions if you need to set it as your default messaging app. To block a number, navigate to any message you’ve received from it, tap the three dots at the top right, then People & Options. Now tap Block *number or contact’s name* (see screenshot above), then OK. To access your archived messages, go to the main app screen (listing messages from all your contacts), tap the three dots at the top right, then Archived.

The app also lets you change the message colour for certain people. By default every message from each of your contacts appears as a random colour. To add a specific colour for a contact, first open any message they’ve sent you. Now tap the three dots at the top right, People & Options, then tap the small palette icon beside that person’s name at the bottom right. You’ll now see a range of different circular colours you can tap and select.