Samsung Ends Messages App Support in July 2026

Samsung announced on its website that it will discontinue its proprietary Messages app in July 2026, urging users of Galaxy smartphones and compatible devices to transition to Google Messages as the replacement.

The company posted an end-of-service notice on its U.S. support page, stating that the app will cease functionality for sending and receiving standard texts after the specified date, with the exception of emergency service numbers and predefined emergency contacts. Samsung Messages will also be removed from the Galaxy Store, preventing new downloads. Users can check the app itself for the precise shutdown date, which may vary by region.

This move affects Galaxy devices running Android 12 or later versions. Devices on Android 11 or older will continue to support Samsung Messages without interruption. For smartphones released before 2022, switching to Google Messages may temporarily disrupt ongoing RCS chats, though SMS and MMS messaging will remain unaffected. RCS functionality can resume once both parties in a conversation adopt Google Messages.

Samsung has been phasing out its Messages app over the past two years. The process began in July 2024 with the Galaxy Z Fold 6...