according to a formal statement issued by the company. Samsung is also recommending that users change to Google Messages as their default application, highlighting a range of feature “enhancements” they will receive upon making the transition, many of which were not present in Samsung’s app.
Android is built to permit users to select their own preferred default applications. You can install a launcher to substitute the stock core experience, for instance, or various messaging and social applications to take the place of what would have been Samsung Messages as the default. Samsung indeed ceased pre-loading its Messages app on devices as recently as the Galaxy Z Fold 6, Flip 6, and the Galaxy S25 Series, although you could simply download it from the Galaxy Store, Samsung’s mobile application marketplace.
The specific date for the app’s closure will be disclosed within the app at a later time. If you own an Android 11 device or earlier, Samsung asserts that you will not be impacted by this service termination, and Samsung Messages should continue operating on those older devices.
Transitioning to Google Messages will actually enable several new features, such as RCS messaging, which facilitates high-quality media sharing, group conversations with iPhone users, and real-time typing indicators. Samsung also specifically mentions enhanced and “robust security” with AI fraud detection and spam filters, dynamic AI capabilities, and multi-device connectivity.