Samsung Discontinues Messages App: What You Need to Know

Samsung’s App Discontinuation Notification

Samsung has officially announced that it will be discontinuing its Samsung Messages app starting from July 2026. The company has informed users through its website, indicating that once the app is no longer supported, it will be impossible to send messages via the app, except for emergencies and contacts marked as emergency contacts. Additionally, users will not be able to download or update the app from the Galaxy Store anymore. Interestingly, devices running Android 11 and earlier versions are stated to be unaffected by this change, which might help older models continue using the app for a longer period.

Features of Google Messages and Transition Advice

• The company recommends users to switch to Google Messages as their main messaging application, highlighting its enhanced features.
• Google Messages incorporates AI-driven scam detection, advanced spam filtering, and supports Rich Communication Services (RCS) messaging for richer interactions.
• Additional features include expressive AI capabilities and multi-device connectivity, making it a more versatile messaging platform.

Samsung has suggested that some users could receive a notification directly within the app, guiding them how to transition smoothly to Google Messages. For users who may not receive such a notification, a manual guide is provided to assist with the switch. The announcement also warns about potential temporary disruptions of ongoing RCS messaging sessions particularly on devices launched before 2022, which can often be fixed by switching both parties to Google Messages.

Impact on Smartwatch Users & Final Notes

After the changeover, users of Samsung smartwatches running Tizen OS face limitations, as these devices will no longer support viewing the full conversation history of messages. This limitation stems from the fact that Tizen OS does not support Google Messages. Despite this, users will still be able to read and send text messages via their smartwatches but with reduced functionality. Overall, this move signifies Samsung’s shift in their messaging ecosystem, emphasizing Google’s messaging platform moving forward.