In a move that marks a major shift in its messaging ecosystem, Samsung has confirmed the end of its native messaging service, asking users to transition to an alternative platform.
The company announced that Samsung Messages will be discontinued in July 2026. While an exact date has not been specified, users will be notified through the app. Devices running Android 11 or older will not be impacted by this change.
Samsung is officially moving to Google Messages as its default messaging app across Galaxy smartphones, tablets, and smartwatches. Newer devices already come pre-installed with Google Messages, replacing Samsung’s in-house app.
Users can switch by installing Google Messages from the Play Store and setting it as the default SMS app. On opening the app, users will see the prompt: “To use Messages, make it your default SMS app.” They can then select Google Messages and confirm the change. Samsung has assured that messages and contacts can be transferred or synced using tools like Smart Switch or Google Drive.
The transition has been underway for some time. Devices such as the Galaxy S26 series and Galaxy Z Fold 8 launched with Google Messages pre-installed. Additionally, newer Galaxy devices can no longer download Samsung Messages from the Galaxy Store.
However, there are limitations. Older Galaxy Watch models running Tizen OS, especially those released before Galaxy Watch 4, do not support Google Messages fully. After the shutdown, these devices will not display complete message histories but will still allow basic texting functions.
Post discontinuation, Samsung Messages will no longer support sending texts, except for emergency numbers or pre-defined emergency contacts. Some devices launched before 2022 may also face RCS disruptions.
The company may send in-app alerts to guide users through the transition in the coming months.
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