Samsung Stops Pre-Installing its Messages App on Galaxy Phones Sold in the US

Samsung is no longer pre-installing its own Messages app on Galaxy phones sold in the US, starting with the upcoming Galaxy Z Fold6 and Z Flip6. These devices will use Google Messages by default, though Samsung Messages will still be available to download from the Galaxy Store.

The Korean company quietly announced the news in a notice in its Samsung Members app spotted by tech analyst Max Weinbach (via 9to5Google). In it, the company hinted that Google Messages would provide a better messaging experience without explicitly mentioning the RCS messaging standard that Apple will finally adopt on iOS 18 later this year.

“Starting with Flip6, Fold6, and newer models, the Samsung Messages app will no longer be preloaded,” the notice reads. “Instead, Google Messages will provide a new and enhanced experience to express your emotions, making communication safe and fun. You can also exchange messages with users around the world through Google Messages.”

Samsung Messages is no longer pre-loaded! Google Messages (with RCS enabled by default) only pic.twitter.com/GoMqyM2p4Z

— Max Weinbach (@MaxWinebach) July 20, 2024

As 9to5Google previously reported, Samsung has made Google Messages the default messaging on some of its high-end Galaxy sold worldwide since 2021. As a result, it probably didn’t make sense to have Samsung Messages coexist alongside Google Messages when the latter is now the official universal messaging app for the Android ecosystem.

In recent years, Google Messages popularized the RCS messaging standard developed by carriers to replace SMS. While Samsung Messages also supports RCS, Google Messages added support for end-to-end encryption for RCS Messages and enabled it by default for all users last year.

RCS provides a modern chat experience with read receipts, typing indicators, and support for high-quality media. Having failed to create its own proprietary alternative Apple’s iMessage, Google went all in on the carrier-developed RCS standard, and Google Messages now provides a solid messaging experience on Android complemented with apps for Wear OS and the web.