Samsung Messages shuts down: Here’s what you need to do

Samsung has finally shut down the Samsung Messages app on Galaxy phones and tablets. The app came pre-installed on millions of Galaxy devices, but Samsung began switching to Google Messages as the default messaging app for Galaxy devices launched in 2022 and later. And it was shut down on July 6, 2026.

Now that Samsung has officially discontinued Samsung Messages, you should switch to Google Messages if you haven’t already. There’s a good chance Google Messages is already installed on your Galaxy device, and all you need to do is set it as the default messaging app. To do that, follow the steps below.

How to switch from Samsung Messages to Google Messages as default messaging app?

Find and open the Google Messages app on your Galaxy phone or tablet. If it isn’t installed, open the Google Play Store, search for Google Messages, and tap Install. The installation should only take a few seconds.
Open the Google Messages app and tap the Set as default or Set default SMS app button displayed on the screen.
When the pop-up menu appears at the bottom of the screen, select Google Messages from the list and tap Set as default.
Open your phone’s app drawer, find the Samsung Messages app, then tap and hold its icon. Next, tap Uninstall.
Tap and hold the Google Messages app, then tap Add to Home to place it on your Home screen. We also recommend dragging its icon to the app dock so it’s easier to access.

Why did Samsung switch to Google Messages?

Samsung decided to switch to Google Messages as the default messaging app on Galaxy phones to accelerate the adoption of Rich Communication Services (RCS). RCS brings several modern messaging features that are already common in third-party messaging apps such as Telegram and WhatsApp.

Here is the timeline of Samsung’s transition from Samsung Messages to Google Messages.

2021: Starting with the Galaxy S21 series, Samsung began pre-installing Google Messages on Galaxy phones in certain regions. Samsung Messages was also pre-installed, but Google Messages became the default messaging app in some markets.
2022: Samsung Messages continued to come pre-installed on Galaxy phones and tablets, but Google Messages became the default messaging app globally.
2024: Starting with the Galaxy Z Flip 6 and the Galaxy Z Fold 6, Samsung stopped pre–installing Samsung Messages in the US and a few other regions.
2026: In April 2026, Samsung began notifying Galaxy phone and tablet users that Samsung Messages would soon be discontinued and recommended switching to Google Messages as the default messaging app.