Samsung is discontinuing its Samsung Messages app and directing users in the United States to switch to Google Messages before the service ends in July, the company said on its support website.
The move affects Galaxy phones running Google's Android operating system, with Samsung describing the transition as a way for users to maintain a consistent messaging experience on Android.
Owners of newer devices, including the Galaxy 26 lineup, are already unable to download Samsung Messages from the Galaxy Store, and Samsung has warned that all devices will lose the ability to install the app once it is formally discontinued in July.
Users are advised to check the app for the precise date their device goes offline.
To make the switch, Samsung instructs users to download Google Messages from the Play Store if it is not already installed and set it as the default messaging application, with some users expected to receive an in-app notification guiding them through the process.
Samsung said the transition will also give users access to the latest artificial intelligence features from Google's Gemini assistant, including an experimental tool called Remix that generates images during conversations, as well as AI-powered reply suggestions.
Devices running Android 11 or earlier will not be affected by the discontinuation, and users can check their Android version by navigating to Settings, then Software information.
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Samsung did not immediately clarify whether the guidance applies to users outside the US.
The decision marks a significant concession by Samsung, which has long maintained its own suite of pre-installed applications on Galaxy devices as a point of differentiation from stock Android, but has increasingly aligned its software strategy with Google's ecosystem in recent years.
The recap
- Samsung discontinues Samsung Messages app in the U.S., effective July.
- Users should switch to Google Messages for a consistent Android experience.
- Older devices on Android 11 or earlier remain unaffected.
