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Samsung Will Retire Its Messages App in July 2026, Pushing Users to Google Messages

The move consolidates Android texting around Google’s RCS app with Gemini AI features.

Overview

  • Samsung has announced an end of service for Samsung Messages in July 2026 and will guide users in the app to switch to Google Messages before the shutdown.
  • On phones running Android 12 or newer, Samsung Messages will stop sending standard texts after the cutoff, though emergency calls and locally stored emergency contacts will still work.
  • Devices on Android 11 or earlier are not affected and can keep using Samsung’s app without changes.
  • Older Galaxy watches that use Samsung’s Tizen software, released before Galaxy Watch4, will show or send single texts but will no longer display full chat histories after the switch.
  • Samsung has been preinstalling Google Messages on recent Galaxy models and, on some newer phones, Samsung Messages is no longer offered in the Galaxy Store, reflecting a broader shift to RCS with higher‑quality media, better group chats, spam filtering, and Gemini‑powered tools.