Samsung is preparing to officially discontinue its long-running Samsung Messages app, a move that will affect millions of Galaxy phone users across the United States beginning in July 2026.
The company is encouraging users to switch over to Google Messages, which will become the primary messaging platform on Samsung devices moving forward. Samsung says the change is part of an effort to create a more consistent messaging experience across Android devices while also expanding support for newer communication features.
According to Samsung, users may begin seeing notifications inside the Samsung Messages app informing them about the upcoming shutdown and guiding them through the process of transitioning to Google Messages. The company stated that Galaxy owners should make the switch before the service officially ends to avoid disruptions.
Samsung explained that Google Messages offers several upgraded features compared to the older Samsung-built app. These include advanced spam protection, scam detection tools powered by artificial intelligence, Rich Communication Services support, improved group chats, typing indicators, high-quality media sharing, and enhanced connectivity across devices like tablets and smartwatches.
The company also noted that Google Messages supports newer AI-powered tools such as smart replies and photo remixing features through Google’s Gemini technology. Samsung said users can continue conversations seamlessly between compatible devices without interruption.
To switch manually, Samsung says users simply need to download or open Google Messages, set it as the default SMS application, and confirm the selection in their phone settings. The process is designed to automatically transfer existing messages and conversations from Samsung Messages into Google Messages, although Samsung warned that the transfer could take up to 24 hours depending on the amount of stored data.
Samsung also shared additional details for users running older versions of Android, specifically Android 12 and Android 13. Those users may need to manually move the Google Messages icon onto their home screen dock after switching because the icon may not automatically replace Samsung Messages during setup.
The company clarified that users with devices operating on Android 11 or earlier will not be impacted by the shutdown. Samsung also stated that older Galaxy smartwatches using the Tizen operating system will lose full conversation history support once Samsung Messages is discontinued. However, users with those watches will still be able to send and receive text messages.
Samsung warned that once the app officially shuts down, users will no longer be able to send messages through Samsung Messages except for emergency numbers or designated emergency contacts. The company also confirmed that Galaxy devices released before 2022 may temporarily experience interruptions with ongoing RCS conversations during the transition period, although standard SMS and MMS messaging will continue functioning.
Newer Galaxy phones have already begun shifting away from Samsung Messages. Samsung stopped preloading the app on many U.S. Galaxy devices in favor of Google Messages, and the app is expected to disappear entirely from the Galaxy Store after the July 2026 shutdown date. Galaxy S26 devices and newer models reportedly will not be able to download Samsung Messages at all.
The transition has generated mixed reactions among Samsung users online. Some longtime Galaxy owners said they preferred Samsung’s simpler messaging layout and integration with Samsung devices, while others welcomed the move toward Google Messages because of its modern features and stronger RCS support. Several users also discussed concerns involving compatibility with Microsoft’s Phone Link application and cross-device syncing.
Samsung says additional information about the discontinuation timeline and migration process will continue appearing directly inside the Samsung Messages app leading up to the shutdown.
Source: 12News
