Samsung announces the discontinuation of its Messages app

Samsung has its own suite of apps that comes preinstalled with its smartphones such as the Samsung Internet Browser and the Galaxy Store. However, it has also ditched some of its own apps in favor of Google's in some cases, such as switching to Google Messages as the default messaging app. Despite the switch, Samsung still offers its own Messages app, but a new announcement says it is discontinuing the app soon.

According to an announcement on its website, Samsung says it is discontinuing the Samsung Messages app in July 2026. The exact date for the discontinuation is stated to be available in the app. Once the app is discontinued, users will not be able to send messages with the app except for emergency services and emergency contacts. They will also not be able to download the app from the Galaxy Store. Interestingly, Samsung says that devices running Android 11 and older will not be affected by the discontinuation.

The End of Service announcement also states that users should “upgrade to Google Messages” as their default messaging app. Samsung adds that the Google Messages app offers features such as AI-powered scam detection, spam filters, RCS Messaging, expressive AI features, and multi-device connectivity.

The announcement adds that some users may receive an in-app notification guiding them on how to make the switch to Google's app. There's a manual guide for those who don't get the notification. Samsung also mentions additional warnings such as temporary disruption of ongoing RCS messaging on devices released before 2022. This can be resolved if both parties switch to Google Messages.

Last but not the least, after the switch happens, owners of Samsung smartwatches running Tizen OS will no longer be able to view full message conversation history on their watches as the operating system doesn't support Google Messages. However, they will still be able to read and send text messages.