Samsung Messages ends in July 2026 for most Galaxy phones, requiring a switch to Google Messages for SMS and RCS.
Elizabeth Kartini
Senior Mobile Technology Editor
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Samsung’s native messaging app will stop working on most Galaxy phones this July, forcing users to switch to Google’s alternative as part of a two-year consolidation plan. The company posted an End of Service Announcement on its US website confirming Samsung Messages will be discontinued in July 2026.
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After that date, sending messages through the app will only work for emergency contacts and service numbers.
Galaxy users on Android 12 and newer devices must transition to Google Messages, which Samsung has positioned as the default replacement for a consistent Android messaging experience. The change doesn’t affect phones running Android 11 or older, which will continue supporting Samsung Messages due to potential compatibility issues.
Samsung began this shift in July 2024 when it announced Google Messages would become the default SMS/RCS app on Galaxy phones. The latest Galaxy S26 series already ships with Google Messages pre-installed as the default, blocking downloads of Samsung Messages entirely from the Galaxy Store.
The transition includes guided instructions within Samsung Messages itself, directing users to make Google Messages their default SMS app. On devices running Android 14 or newer, the Google Messages icon automatically moves to the home screen dock after switching.
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Tizen OS smartwatches also lose full message conversation history viewing capabilities when Samsung Messages shuts down, though they’ll still display and send text messages normally. For devices released before 2022, switching may temporarily disrupt ongoing RCS conversations until both parties use Google Messages.
Standard MMS and SMS messaging remains available throughout the transition period.
Samsung highlights several upgrades in Google Messages including AI-powered scam detection, RCS support across Android and iOS platforms, Gemini AI features for photo remixing and smart replies, and multi-device connectivity between phones, tablets and watches.
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