Samsung Is Shutting Down Its Messages App – Here’s What Galaxy Users Should Do Now

Samsung has officially announced the end of its built-in Messages app. The company confirmed through an end-of-service notice on its website that the app will be discontinued in July 2026, giving users around 12 weeks to make the transition.

The exact shutdown date may differ depending on where you live, so Samsung is advising users to open the app on their device to see the specific deadline that applies to them.

So, what should you use instead?

Samsung is pointing users toward Google Messages as the recommended replacement. The app is already pre-installed on many newer Galaxy devices, so the switch may be easier than expected for most people.

Google Messages comes packed with modern features including RCS (Rich Communication Services), read receipts, typing indicators, and smoother syncing across multiple devices.

Will you lose your messages?

The short answer is no. SMS messages are stored directly on your device, and Google Messages will automatically pick them up once you set it as your default app. Your chat history should carry over without any manual work on your part.

That said, it is always a smart move to back up any important conversations before making the switch, just to be safe.

Older devices are not affected

Not everyone will feel the impact of this change. If your phone runs Android 11 or older – such as the Galaxy S9 or Galaxy Note 9 — Samsung Messages will continue to work even after the July cutoff. Users on older hardware can carry on as usual for the time being.

For everyone else, the clock is ticking. The good news is that the transition to Google Messages is straightforward, and most users are unlikely to notice a significant difference in day-to-day use.