Samsung is preparing to shut down its Samsung Messages app, marking another step in the company’s gradual shift away from some first-party software in favor of Google’s alternatives. If you still use Samsung Messages for SMS, MMS, or RCS chats, you’ll want to plan ahead: the app is scheduled to be discontinued in July 2026.
Samsung says the exact discontinuation date will be shown inside the Samsung Messages app itself. After service ends, Samsung Messages will no longer work for everyday texting. Users won’t be able to send messages through the app, with the exception of emergency services and emergency contacts. Samsung also notes that once the cutoff happens, the app will no longer be available to download from the Galaxy Store.
There is one notable exception. Samsung states that phones running Android 11 or older won’t be affected by the Samsung Messages discontinuation, meaning those devices should continue operating as they do today.
To replace Samsung Messages, Samsung is directing users to move to Google Messages and set it as the default messaging app. The company highlights several features designed to make messaging feel more modern and secure, including AI-powered scam detection, spam filtering, RCS messaging support, expressive AI features, and multi-device connectivity.
Some Galaxy users may see an in-app notification that walks them through switching from Samsung Messages to Google Messages. For anyone who doesn’t receive the prompt, Samsung says there’s a manual way to make the change by setting Google Messages as the default SMS app in the phone’s settings.
Samsung also includes a few important compatibility notes for anyone who relies on RCS chats. The company warns that there could be temporary disruption to ongoing RCS messaging on devices released before 2022. According to the notice, this issue can be resolved when both people in the conversation switch to Google Messages.
There’s also an impact for certain smartwatch owners. If you use a Samsung smartwatch running Tizen OS, you won’t be able to view your full message conversation history on your watch after switching, because Tizen doesn’t support Google Messages. However, Samsung says you’ll still be able to read and send text messages.
For Galaxy owners, the takeaway is simple: if Samsung Messages is currently your go-to texting app, July 2026 is the deadline to transition. Switching earlier can help you avoid interruptions, keep RCS chats running smoothly, and take advantage of the newer safety and spam-protection features Samsung is promoting through Google Messages.
