Samsung Messages shuts down in favor of Google Messages on July 6 [U]
9to5 Google 2026-07-02 14:15:51
Context: Samsung's Messages app, which has been the pre-installed SMS app on Galaxy phones for years, is shutting down on July 6 in favor of Google Messages. The shutdown is part of a larger shift, as Google Messages became the default texting app on Galaxy phones in 2022 and Samsung stopped pre-installing its own app on Galaxy devices sold in the US in 2024. This change affects Galaxy devices running Android 12 or newer.
Key Facts
- Samsung Messages will officially shut down on July 6, as confirmed by an in-app notice that has been seen by users over the past few weeks.
- The app will cease to work on Galaxy devices running Android 12 or newer, while older Galaxy devices running older Android versions can continue using Samsung Messages.
- On Galaxy devices running Android 14 and newer, Samsung Messages will "automatically shift" to Google Messages, including the icon on the homescreen.
- In a poll of 9to5Google readers, Samsung's app layout and features were the primary reason users didn't want to switch over, with themes also being a notable reason.
- Google Messages became the default texting app on Galaxy phones in 2022, and by 2024, Samsung had stopped pre-installing its own app on Galaxy devices sold in the US.