Samsung has confirmed it will discontinue its Samsung Messages app, signalling the end of its long-running in-house messaging service. An official notice published by the company states the app will no longer be supported from July this year, with users encouraged to migrate to Google Messages instead.
The transition reflects a broader shift in Samsung’s software strategy, with Google Messages now positioned as the default option across Galaxy smartphones. Users who have continued to rely on Samsung’s app will need to switch in order to keep access to modern messaging features.
For users in the United States, Google Messages introduces RCS functionality, enabling improved communication features such as sharing higher-quality photos and videos, participating in richer group conversations and seeing live typing indicators regardless of the device being used. While some personalisation features from Samsung Messages will be lost, Google’s platform offers its own enhancements.
One of the standout additions is integration with Google’s Gemini AI, which allows users to edit and rework images directly within conversations. The app also improves continuity between devices, making it easier to pick up chats on a tablet or smartwatch after starting them on a phone.
The move has been building for some time. Samsung began stepping back from its own messaging app with earlier devices such as the Galaxy Z Fold 6 and Galaxy Z Flip 6, later extending the approach to the Galaxy S25 series. These devices shipped with Google Messages pre-installed instead of Samsung Messages, marking a clear shift in direction.
Although the Samsung Messages app has remained available through the Galaxy Store, its eventual shutdown now appears inevitable. The company has indicated that a final cut-off date will be communicated within the app itself, bringing a gradual phase-out to a close as Samsung aligns more closely with Google’s messaging ecosystem.