Samsung to Discontinue Samsung Messages in July 2026, Switch to Google Messages

Samsung is getting ready to phase out its proprietary messaging platform, confirming that the Samsung Messages app will be discontinued in July 2026. Going forward, the company will shift users on its smartphones and tablets to Google Messages as the default, bringing its devices in line with Google's broader messaging approach and helping push RCS as the standard for cross-platform communication.



The change is part of a wider effort to standardize Rich Communication Services (RCS) across Android. Apple added RCS support to the iPhone with iOS 18, but end-to-end encryption for cross-platform conversations still isn't fully in place. Apple has confirmed it is working on encrypted RCS messaging between iPhone and Android users, with testing now underway in the iOS 26.5 beta after missing the final release of iOS 26.4.


Samsung says that once the shutdown takes effect, users will no longer be able to send messages through the legacy app, except for emergency service numbers or predefined emergency contacts. The transition is already underway on newer devices. Owners of the latest Galaxy S26 models can no longer download Samsung Messages from the Galaxy Store, and the same restriction will apply to all remaining devices once the July 2026 deadline arrives. Samsung also notes that devices running Android 11 or earlier are not affected by the end-of-service change.

Moving to Google Messages also brings a set of new features. Samsung highlights Gemini-powered tools like smart replies and photo remixing, along with built-in scam detection and stronger spam filtering designed to keep messages more secure.

There are some tradeoffs for older hardware. Smartwatches that still run Tizen OS will no longer show full conversation histories after the switch, though users will still be able to read and send messages. Samsung adds that devices released before 2022 may briefly lose access to active RCS threads during the transition. Those conversations can resume once both users switch to Google Messages, and SMS and MMS will continue to work in the meantime. The update comes alongside other interoperability changes from Samsung, including the rollout of AirDrop-style support for direct file sharing between Galaxy and Apple devices.