Samsung Messages App is Being Discontinued In Favor of Google Messages

Samsung is preparing to discontinue its Messages app on recent Galaxy phones in July 2026, and the company will soon invite users to switch to the Google Messages app. The company published an end-of-service announcement on its website (via Android Central ), where it also pointed out the various benefits of using Google Messages.

Google Messages supports end-to-end encrypted RCS Messages, and the app also offers AI-powered scam detection and multi-device connectivity with tablet, smart watch, and web apps. The messaging app also integrates Google’s Gemini AI for remixing photos and smart replies.

Samsung’s latest Galaxy S26 series shipped without the Samsung Messages app, which also can’t be downloaded from the Galaxy Store on these devices. The app will also be removed from Samsung’s digital storefront in July 2026, and it will stop working on all Galaxy devices running Android 12 or newer, except for messaging emergency service numbers or emergency contacts saved locally.

Depending on their version of Android, Samsung Galaxy users will get a notification from the Samsung Messages app inviting them to switch to Google Messages. If it’s not already installed, users will need to download Google Messages from the Play Store, set it as their default SMS app, and add it to their home screen if needed.

“For Samsung devices released before 2022, switching messaging applications may temporarily disrupt ongoing RCS conversations. However, RCS conversations can resume if both parties switch to Google Messages. MMS/SMS messaging will remain available during this period,” Samsung explained in the announcement.

Samsung also noted that the Google Messages app is not available on Galaxy watches released before the Galaxy Watch4. On these models, the Samsung Messages app will still be able to read and send text messages after July 2026, but the app will no longer be able to show the full message conversation history.