Since iOS 18.2, you can choose a default messaging app, but Telegram and others don’t support this feature yet. The DefaultSMS app can bypass this limitation.
Starting with iOS 18.2, Apple allows users to choose a default messaging app. To do this, go to Settings > Messages, and in the Default Messaging App section, select your preferred app.
However, Telegram and other messengers have not yet enabled support for this feature, so you won’t be able to choose them just yet. To bypass this limitation, you can use the DefaultSMS app.
After installing the app, set it as your default messaging app, then go to the DefaultSMS settings and select the messenger you want, or choose “Ask every time.”
At the time of writing, Telegram, WhatsApp, and Signal are supported. Now, when you try to start a conversation, the selected app will open, or you’ll be asked to choose an app.
Cost: DefaultSMS is not available for free. It is a one-time purchase costing $0.99.