Samsung is officially retiring the Samsung Messages app in the United States, requiring users to transition to Google Messages to maintain text functionality. While the company began phasing out its proprietary app as the default option in 2021, the final sunset of the service means existing message history will not automatically migrate, and the app will cease to function for most users.
Why is Samsung Messages shutting down?
Samsung has shifted its strategy toward the Google Messages platform to standardize the messaging experience across the Android ecosystem. By moving to Google’s infrastructure, Samsung users gain access to features like typing indicators, easier group chats and the ability to send higher-quality images. According to Samsung’s official support documentation, the transition also integrates AI-powered spam detection and filters, multi-device access to messages, and some built-in Gemini AI features.
How to save your text message history
Because the migration from Samsung Messages to Google Messages is not automatic, your conversation threads, RCS threads and message archives will not move to the new app on their own. To preserve your data, you must ensure your messages are backed up or transferred before the service deactivation.
Once Samsung deactivates the app, any data remaining within the old interface will become inaccessible.
Which devices are affected by this change?
The shutdown primarily affects users in the United States who have relied on the Samsung-branded messaging app. Newer hardware, such as the Galaxy S26, does not include the Samsung Messages app at all, as it comes preloaded with Google Messages as the default.
- Android 12 and 13 devices: Users must manually switch their default app to Google Messages.
- Android 11 or lower: These devices are not affected by the end of service, though Samsung recommends the switch for ongoing security and feature support.
- Galaxy Watches: Users with older watches running the Tizen operating system will no longer have access to their full conversation history, as these watches cannot use Google Messages. Newer models running WearOS, such as the Galaxy Watch 4 and later, remain fully compatible with the new standard.
What happens if you don’t switch?
Once the transition deadline passes, the Samsung Messages app will lose its ability to send or receive standard SMS and MMS messages. The application will remain on your device in a limited capacity, restricted solely to emergency services communication.
To complete the switch, download Google Messages from the Google Play Store if it is not already on your device. Upon launching the app for the first time, you will be prompted to set it as your default SMS handler.
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