Samsung Electronics will discontinue its Messages application by July 2026, ending its long-running coexistence with Google’s Messages app on Galaxy devices. The company confirmed the plan in an official support notice, advising users to shift to Google Messages before the service shuts down.
After the cutoff, Samsung Messages will no longer support sending or receiving text messages, except for emergency service numbers and pre-defined emergency contacts. The app will also be removed from the Galaxy Store. The change will affect all Galaxy devices running Android 12 or later, while older models on Android 11 or below will remain unaffected. Samsung cautioned that users with ongoing RCS chats may encounter temporary disruptions until all participants move to Google Messages.
The transition follows Samsung’s earlier decision to make Google Messages the default texting app on new devices. Starting with the Galaxy Z Flip 6 and Z Fold 6 in 2024, the company began phasing out its in-house app, a process that continued through the Galaxy S25 and S26 series launches. On newer devices, users can no longer download Samsung Messages from the Galaxy Store.
Samsung describes the change as an upgrade aimed at modernizing messaging across Android devices. Google Messages supports RCS features, AI-powered protection tools, and cross-platform functionality. However, owners of older Tizen-based Galaxy Watches, released before the Galaxy Watch4, will lose the ability to view full conversation histories through the watch interface. Basic text viewing and sending will still function.
Samsung has not specified the exact shutdown date within July 2026 but said users would receive in-app notifications with guidance on switching to Google Messages ahead of the transition.
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