The Android OS is known for its flexibility and options, but Samsung Galaxy users are about to lose one of their choices: the Samsung Messages app. Samsung recently revealed its plans to discontinue this messaging service this summer, which gives users a limited time to find an alternative.
The End of Samsung Messages
While Google provides its essential apps, often called GApps, for free across many Android devices, Samsung has included its own applications preinstalled on its Galaxy smartphones. Samsung Messages is one of those applications.
Interestingly, Samsung hasn’t provided a straightforward explanation for the shutdown.
Samsung Messages has served as the key app for Galaxy users to communicate via SMS and MMS for years. However, things shifted in 2021 with the introduction of the Galaxy S21 series. These models were the first in Samsung’s range to replace Samsung Messages with Google Messages, and this trend continued with subsequent releases.
This year, Samsung will completely retire the Samsung Messages app, officially transitioning to Google Messages by a vague deadline of July 2026.
Transitioning to Google Messages is Beneficial
Though some may feel a twinge of nostalgia for the old app, this switch to Google Messages might actually serve users better. As discussed earlier this year, Google Messages stands out as one of the few messaging apps on Android that fully supports Rich Communication Services (RCS), which is becoming the new benchmark for texting, replacing SMS and MMS.
Just to recap: RCS offers several advantages over previous messaging technologies. It features end-to-end encryption for enhanced security, cross-platform read receipts, better group messaging, and the ability to share high-resolution media files.
In summary, RCS simply outperforms older technology. Since Samsung Messages lacks RCS support, moving to Google Messages might be the smoother option.
Setting Up Google Messages as Your Default
If you haven’t made the switch yet or are curious whether Google Messages is your default app, here’s how to check and set it up:
- First, download and install Google Messages from the Google Play Store if you haven’t already.
- Next, open the Settings app on your Samsung device.
- Scroll down and tap on Apps.
- At the top, select “Choose default app.”
- Then tap “SMS app.”
- Finally, ensure the Google Messages app is selected (look for the blue Messages icon).
Important Notes to Keep in Mind
Before making any changes, here are a few things you should be aware of:
- If your device runs Android 11 or earlier, the shutdown won’t impact you, and you can continue using your current messaging app.
- For Android versions 12 or 13, you might need to manually shift the Messages app in your dock from Samsung to Google Messages once the change has occurred. Others will see Google Messages defaulted automatically.
- After the shutdown, Samsung Messages will still be available for emergency use, though it won’t be fully functional.
Why is Samsung Closing the Messages App?
Samsung hasn’t clearly articulated why it’s discontinuing its long-standing messaging app. Still, a few theories could explain the switch.
One reason could be the support for RCS. Google doesn’t own the RCS technology per se, but it has actively promoted it since its rollout in Android in 2019. Its earlier acquisition of Jibe Mobile allowed Google to promote RCS without relying on carriers who were slow to adapt. This move is similar to how Apple rolled out its own iMessage service on iOS. With Google Messages, features and RCS adoption can be more uniformly managed across Android devices.
Additionally, Samsung and Google have collaborated closely over the years on major projects, like revamping Wear OS and launching the Galaxy XR headset. The shift to Google Messages is just one example of their ongoing efforts to unify and strengthen Android against Apple’s increasing influence.
