Samsung has confirmed that its Samsung Messages app will be discontinued in July 2026. The change affects Galaxy devices running Android 12 or newer, while those on Android 11 or earlier can continue using the app.
The company said its users must switch to Google Messages, which will become the default SMS and RCS app for Galaxy phones. RCS is the modern upgrade to SMS, offering features like high-quality media sharing, group chats, and typing indicators.
Google Messages includes AI-powered spam and scam detection, smart replies, and cross-device support for tablets and Galaxy Watch4 or newer.
After July, Samsung Messages will only work for emergency contacts. Devices like the Galaxy S26 and newer will no longer support app downloads, and the app will be removed from the Galaxy Store. Older Tizen watches will still send and receive texts, but may lose full conversation history.
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This marks the end of Samsung’s long-running messaging app, as the company aligns with Google’s ecosystem.
How to Switch to Google Messages
- Open or download Google Messages from the Play Store.
- Set it as the default SMS app when prompted.
- Follow the guided in-app notification for setup.
- On Android 12 and 13, manually adjust the home screen dock if needed.
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