Posted on 07/15/2026 6:20:29 PM PDT by george76
You may be hearing that Samsung Messages is going away, and for many Android users, that's true. Samsung is quietly phasing out its Samsung Messages app and moving people to Google Messages as the default texting platform with a planned cutoff around July 2026 in the U.S.
Newer Galaxy phones already come with Google Messages preinstalled, and Samsung Messages is no longer available to download on many newer devices.
That shift is real. But the way people are finding out about it is causing confusion. For many people, it starts with a text that doesn't feel quite right. They're checking their phone, and suddenly a text pops up warning that their messaging app is going away.
...
Samsung says Samsung Messages will be discontinued and is pushing people to switch to Google Messages. Google Messages is already the default texting app on many Galaxy phones.
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Google has been pushing RCS, which stands for rich communication services. Think of it as the Android version of iMessage.
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Scammers know people are already hearing about this change, and they're using that confusion to make their messages look real.
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This transition is not being communicated in a consistent or highly visible way
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When tech companies make quiet changes, scammers step in fast. The safest move is simple. Ignore unexpected links, verify everything yourself and make the switch on your terms, not theirs.
(Excerpt) Read more at foxnews.com ...
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OBE. Happened a while ago.
Sent from my Galaxy Z Flip 6.
Sent from my Galaxy S26 Ultra.
Some time ago I was experiencing touch pad sensitivity issues that I could only fix by erasing the cache memory, but another Samsung update installed some Google AI thing that used the same routine to activate as I needed to reach the reboot. Somehow I got through that. It's no longer an issue.
I'm using Google messages now, but no matter what I do it always wants to update. I'm at least slightly gunshy of updates from Google or anyone else! Also there's two different messages icons; one has 3 dots the other has none. It isn't labeled Google / Samsung it forces you to switch the default message app before you can tell what you're choosing.
Clearly the people who write this sort of software like to feel around pressing buttons to see what happens all day, and expect users to do the same. I'm an old fashioned software guy. I like to look up the issue and press one button once to fix the problem. And spend the rest of day ignoring the dam thing.
The change sucks!
Google Messages is totally invasive and has a crappy, amateurish interface...
Social Contacts
Religious Searches
Doctor appointments
Political Happenings
Financial Holdings
Personal Hobbies
Current Events
TEOTWAWKI
Stupid Cat Videos !
The List Goes on and on.
But For Times as This We were Formed.
This is my Third Smart phone a Samsung What is the Next Best ?
.
Verizon abandoned their messenger app a year or so ago, pushing folks to Google spyware.
“Think of it as the Android version of iMessage.”
No wonder I have so much difficulty with it.
I cannot use Apple stuff, I am not ,,,,,,,,,
Google messenger is garbage...
It doesn’t even have settings...
Samsung messenger was great...
Now I have to find something that’s close Samsung messenger...
Any thoughts?
“...make the switch on your terms, not theirs.”
If that were possible there wouldn’t be a switch. I’m getting tired of my phone and computer doing things I didn’t ask for/don’t want.
“Any thoughts?”
Let me know if you find something.
I was comfortable with the Samsung thing, not being a smartphone type, and the gargle thing sucks balls.
I hate this.
I don’t like being force fed something I don’t want. And it’s not reversible.
For many people, it starts with a text that doesn’t feel quite right. They’re checking their phone, and suddenly a text pops up warning that their messaging app is going away.
Yup..that’s exactly right.
Switching was not a problem and the format is very similar. Still getting used to some of GM’s quirks...
The Samsung app was so easy to use.
I have an a12. First smartphone.
I do not want Google.
Is there another app?
Will I lose current messages?
Would signal or telegram be a good replacement?
Will I be able to save my current messages?
Great! GOOG gets more of my data!
I just checked the icon, and I guess I’ve been using Google Messages for texting for a couple of years. It seems OK. I like that I can delay sending for a date/time in the future, which I couldn’t do with whatever app I had before.
I hate that no app (that I know of) will let you download and save or print a text thread/conversation. My old BlackBerry would let you do that.
If I were a suspect in a crime, the cops could get all of that an more in a heartbeat.
There are other texting apps out there but I landed on this one. I never had a Samsung so am not familiar with it.
I’m aware that anything by Google has privacy issues. They all do. If Musk wanted to get into the cellular business (IIRC, he had talked about it at one point), he’d round up the old RIM techies and revive BlackBerry. It was so freakin’ secure!
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